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Conclusion for ocean acidification
Essay of ocean acidification
Water essay ocean acidification
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Commentary on Ocean Acidification Ellycia R Harrould-Kolieb and Dorothée Herr co-wrote the article Ocean Acidification and Climate Change: Synergies and Challenges of Addressing both under the UNFCCC which was published in the 2012 Journal of Climate Policy. The article describes how the release of climate-change-causing carbon dioxide into our atmosphere is causing ocean acidification but through international policies the effects of ocean acidification can be mitigated. Since the 18th century Industrial Revolution, approximately 1.6 trillion tons of carbon dioxide have been added to the atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 378). The world’s oceans have absorbed approximately 30% of that carbon dioxide. This absorption has been beneficial in keeping that 30% out of the atmosphere, where it causes Climate Change, but it has a negative impact on water quality. When carbon dioxide reacts with water, it forms carbonic acid. In the oceans, carbonic acid releases hydrogen ions which increase the acidity of the water. Because of human action, the acidity of the ocean has risen 30% since pre-industrial times and by 2050 ocean acidity is projected to be the highest in 20 million years (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 379). This carbon dioxide influx is threatening marine life. Coral reefs serve as crucial habitat for 25% of marine species. The increased acidity of the water is causing a decrease in coral skeletal growth. If current carbon dioxide emission trends continue, net coral reefs may begin to dissolve by the end of the century (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 380). In addition to increasing ocean acidity, the hydrogen ions released by carbonic acid also react with carbonate ions. Low t... ... middle of paper ... ...eyond command control and provide market based solutions to climate change. These mechanisms were established under Kyoto, and with the involvement of the top dozen emitters, they can significantly decrease emissions. The mechanisms would include Cap and Trade which creates a market for carbon dioxide leading to innovation and incentive to cut emissions. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) would encourage developed states to build renewable energy projects in developing states because they would earn carbon credits which they could sell on the Cap and Trade carbon market. CDM would also lower the cost of renewable energy because on top of the sale of energy companies would also profit off the carbon credits (Snow 133). These measures could effectively address climate change internationally because they would limit the span of different interests among parties.
The reduction in photosynthesising biomass led to an increased reliance on the Worlds other carbon sink, Oceans. Between 26-44% of CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed by oceans by photosynthesising organisms, mainly phytoplankton (Archer, D. and Pierrehumbert, R., 2011), seawater chemically reacts with aqueous Carbon Dioxide, one of the end products is Hydrogen ions (H+) (NOAA, 2013). The increased concentration of H+ results in the ocean becoming more acidic, since pH is determined by concentration of Hydrogen ions.
The Kyoto Protocol was created to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are affecting Earth. The project is extremely expensive and lacks effectiveness. The protocol may benefit the world in the far future, but it is not worth a country going poor. Also, if tackling the issue involves the cooperation of our entire earth, developing countries should not be excluded. The Kyoto Protocol raises many concerns, and if something is going to impact our economy so greatly, it should not raise any concerns and should be foolproof. In order to demonstrate the lack of effectiveness, the economic consequences must first be discussed.
With carbon dioxide levels continuing to rise over the past few decades (fig. 1) and now into the future, concern has been brought to what is happening to the carbonate chemistry of the oceans. Because of these changes in chemistry, the ocean is becoming more acidic. Along with climate change, ocean acidification may be one of the greatest threats to our planet. The higher the ocean’s acidity level goes, the lower the calcium carbonate levels will drop. Even though this is a big scale issue, my goal is to focus on and underline what these changes will mean for the marine life that depend on the calcium carbonate in seawater. I will go in depth with specific regards to a study regarding pteropods or sea butterflies.
Given how important coral reefs are, the increasingly disappearance of our coral reef ecosystems will continue to have a detrimental impact on marine biodiversity with in these ecosystems. In addition to the decline of the animal species, job opportunities for many staff members that keep our parks open and healthy for everyone to enjoy, revenue be lost due to the decline in coral reefs. To help ensure this downward spiral in eliminated before it is too late, park officials and scientist conduct continuous research on the effects of ocean acidification and global warming on marine organisms and overall health and longevity of these ecosystems. Ultimately, the goal is to develop ways to intervene before it is to late in hopes that we can reverse the damage already inflicted on our coral reefs and allow these ecosystems to re grow once
Ocean acidification is the decrease of pH in the oceans due to absorption of CO2 in the atmosphere (Fabry, 2008). Over the past three hundred million years ocean pH levels have been 8.3, however in the past 200 years the pH level of oceans’ have reduced to 8.1, an increase of 25% in the acidity level (Bednaršek, 2012). The CO2 in the ocean reacts with water to form carbonic acid and consume carbonate ions. As a result a lot of marine species are suffering high mortality rate, lower reproduction and the disruption of ecosystems and food chains. Moreover, over 22 million tons of carbon dioxide goes to the ocean every day (Buffie and Carr, 2010). If the rate of CO2 emission in the ocean is not reduced, the predicted ocean CO2 concentration will be 200% by the end of this century (Buffie and Carr, 2010). This paper will explain two major lines of evidence for ocean acidification. The first evidence is based on the impacts of acidity of ocean on calcifying organisms and the second one is acidosis and impact of CO2 on the physiological process of marine species (Silver Sunbream Fish). Lastly the paper will also touch on the potential pitfall correlated with the conducted experiments, which might have hindered t...
The ocean has always absorbed CO2 from the air. An article presented in Nature August 2012 enlightens that about half of all CO2 generated by human is absorbed by the ocean. This chemical reaction is occurring naturally and the rate at which carbon is being absorbed, the concentration of carbonic acid is increasing. This has overwhelming concerns, particularly for shelled creatures. Animals such as corals, crabs, and calms need calcium carbonate to build their shells. Calcium Carbonate is dissolved by carbonic acid and consequently these animals are incapable of maintaining casings of calcium. Bio geosciences in 2010, suggested that carbon confiscation by oceans and land is lessening, which has the potential to further worsen the impact of carbon emissions.
Carbon dioxide disturbs ecosystems candidly, both positively and negatively. On land it increases growth in various trees and plants, an influence occasionally called ‘CO2 fertilisation’. Absorption of CO2 into the oceans triggers ‘ocean acidification’, obstructing shell formation by organisms like corals and affecting coral deterioration or
is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere
Over the last century, [it is evident that] the current levels are beginning to impact organisms that make their shells out of the minerals aragonite and calcite…” (Bralower) “Coral reef[s] are highly vulnerable to ocean acidific...
Ocean Pollution is a serious issue in today's global politics. The delicate balance of Earth's ecosystem is put in jeopardy when the ocean is not clean. Problem evolving from ocean pollution directly harm marine life and indirectly affect human health and the Earth's many valuable resources. Ocean Pollution is a Broad term that encpompasses any and all foregin matter that directly or indirectly makes its way into the ocean. This includes everything from the extreme: oil spills, Toxic Waste dumping and industrial dumping-- to the small scael: human activities and basic carelessness. Because the oceans and all other water bodies are invariably, somehow connected, and because they account for 3/4 of the Earth's surface, they are an ideal method of transportation for pollution, allowing the rapid spread of seemingly far away toxins into a river near you! It is increasingly important that we educate ourselves as to what, exactly, ocean pollution is, so that we can identify the causes at their source and take action in small and large ways, and hopefully, prevent this terrible form of pollution from getting any worse than it is today.
Cao, L., Caldeira, K. “Can ocean fertilization mitigate ocean acidification?” Climatic Change. Vol. 99, #1-2, 295-329.
The coral reefs of the world are of vast importance because they host 25% of all marine life on the planet. Now that corals have been briefly described, we can see why the effects of climate change damage coral reef systems. Ocean acidification is a result of climate change. Acidification is caused by an increase in carbon dioxide in our oceans and leads to a decrease in the pH levels of seawater. This pH decrease reduces the ability of corals to make their hard skeletons.
Oceans are such so vast that people underestimate the impact their actions —seeming so insignificant— have on them. Humans have by and large taken the oceans for granted; not considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A popular mind-set is that the oceans are a bottomless supply of fish, natural resources, and an infinite waste dump. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious one is marine life. With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, it is obvious that sea creatures are predominant form of life, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, that is not the only reason why saving the oceans is crucial. The ocean floor provides natural resources such as, oil, natural gas, petroleum, minerals, medications, and ingredients for foods and products. The economic benefits of the oceans are huge and significant, as well. Fishing and fish products have provided employment to 38 million people and have generated about $124 billion in economic benefits. However, oceans are on the verge of crisis, marine life, natural resources, transportation, the economy, and important ingredients are at risk due to overfishing, pollution, and acidification. Thus, in this essay I will argue that, oceans are not impervious to human activity and threatening the health of the ocean threatens the health of humanity, since oceans key to our survival.
Although one anthropogenic polluter that is highly important is ocean acidification. For millions of years the Earths oceans have maintained a very stable acidity level. It’s within these steady ecosystems that the opulent and diverse millions of species in today’s seas have developed and thrived. However research has proven that the acidity balance is slowly being unfastened by a recent and fast drop in surface
Emma V. Kennedy notes in an article that carbonate is essential for the generation of coral skeletons, which are composed of calcium carbonate, aka limestone. Coral reefs provide a breakwater for many tropical islands against strong waves. Due to ocean acidification, the level of carbonate in the water is much lower than the corals need, effectively stunting their ability to grow. Models have shown that “in general, calcification rates, which are a function of the product of [the] linear extension rate and skeletal density, decline with decreasing aragonite saturation state. However, rates and curves differ substantially among taxa”(Pandolfi). Different species react to the changes in acidity at different rates, but nevertheless, a decline in growth can be seen overall. Hoegh-Guldberg et al. performed studies in which the pre-industrial concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide was doubled to 560 parts per million. When coral was exposed to this level of carbon dioxide, the coral calcification and growth decreased by up to 40 percent. This occurred because aragonite, the crystalline form of calcium carbonate, would not form with low carbonate ion