Fall 2011 Writing 20:Ocean Acidification August 31, 2011 Lecture 1: “Introduction to Ocean...

Fall 2011 Writing 20:Ocean Acidification

August 31, 2011

Lecture 1:“Introduction to Ocean

Acidification”

Some of this lecture obtained from http://aslo.org/lectures/11_005/11_005_rfeely_sdoney.html

Outline

• Overview of “The Other CO2 Problem”• The chemistry• Measuring and monitoring• Local influences on ocean acidification

Pg = petagram = 1012 g

pH ↓ 0.1 since industrial revolution

From Doney et al. 2009

Uncertainties

Outline

• Overview of “The Other CO2 Problem”• The chemistry• Measuring and monitoring• Local influences on ocean acidification

pH = - log [H+] Acid is a substance that donates H+ ionsBase is a chemical that accepts H+ ions

pH scale

Two key biological processes relevant to acid-base chemistry in

the oceans:

1. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) production

2. Photosynthesis (carbon fixation)

Role of Photosynthesis

Additional Terminology

DIC

pCO2

TA

B

different pH terms

Outline

• Overview of “The Other CO2 Problem”• The chemistry• Measuring and monitoring• Local influences on ocean acidification

Note: pH scale is reversed

Outline

• Overview of “The Other CO2 Problem”• The chemistry• Measuring and monitoring• Local influences on ocean acidification

http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/Ocean+Acidification

http://www.whoi.edu/OCB-OA/FAQs/

http://oceanacidification.wordpress.com/

http://www.us-ocb.org/publications/OCB_OA_rept.pdf

http://www.whoi.edu/sites/OceanAcidificationMeeting

http://tos.org/oceanography/issues/issue_archive/22_4.html