Ocean Acidification

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http//www.noaanews.noaa.gov
Ocean Acidification
Will the reef survive?
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The burning of fossil fuels releases 11 BILLION
TONS of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every
year.
http//www.independent.co.uk
http//www.babble.com
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www.physicalgeography.net
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Carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, where it
causes a potentially more serious problem ? ocean
acidification.
Hoegh-Gulderg et al. 2007
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Ocean acidification poses a threat to
shell-forming organisms like corals and
calcifying plankton.
www.greendiary.com
http//elrid.cult.bg
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The pH Scale
ACIDS

• A small change in pH is equal to a LARGE change
  in acidity.

BASES
www.thegardenersresource.com
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Carbonic acid reduces ocean pH.
CO2 H2O
H2CO3 carbonic acid
CO2 CO32- H2O carbonate ions

2HCO3 bicarbonate ions
The concentration of carbonate ions decreases.
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As the ocean acidifies, organisms such as corals,
snails, and calcifying plankton will not be able
to make their shells and grow.
www.divegallery.com
www.greendiary.com
http//elrid.cult.bg
www.noaanews.noaa.gov
Phytoplankton (Coccolithophore )
Zooplankton (Pteropod)
Coral
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www.travel-vancouver-island.com
www.nceas.ucsb.edu
www.bigmoviezone.com
www.noaanews.noaa.gov
http//elrid.cult.bg
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http//www.noaanews.noaa.gov
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Yeast
www.wikipedia.com
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Yeast Experiment
Carbon Dioxide Probe
LabQuest
pH Probe
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Yeast Experiment
Add sugar and yeast to water.
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Yeast Experiment
Carbon Dioxide Set-up