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