OCEAN ACIDITIFICATION

MADE BY SHREYAN DAS ASHOKA

house

INTRODUCTIONOcean acidification is the continuous decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the diffusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

pH is the measure of acidity or basicity of a substance. If the pH of a substance ranges below 7, it is considered as an acid and if the pH of a substance measures above 7, it is considered as a base. pH stands for Potential Hydrogen.

Before a few decades, the ocean water was basic. With time acidity of the ocean water is rising.

WHAT CAUSES THIS ACIDIFICATION?• The main cause of ocean acidification is the atmospheric Carbon-dioxide. When the atmospheric carbon-dioxide dissolves in water it forms Carbonic Acid and finally splits Bicarbonate ion (HCO3

-) and Hydrogen (H-). This absorption of carbon in water is called Carbon Sequestration.• Moreover deforestation, use of petroleum, et cetera are other factors contributing indirectly to this acidification

AREAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS ACIDIFICATION

ANTARCTIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN

ARIABIAN SEA

IMPACTS OF OCEANIC ACIDITYo Marine animals are unable to survive.o Destruction of Food Webo Several ocean goods and services are likely to be damaged by future ocean acidification.o Calcificationo Vulnerable Shelled animals

CALCIFICATIONChanges in ocean chemistry can have extensive direct and indirect effects on organisms and their habitats. One of the most important impact is increasing ocean acidity relates to the production of shells and plates out of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This process is called calcification. Calcification involves the conversion of dissolved ions into solid CaCO3 structures. After they are formed, such structures are vulnerable to dissolution unless the surrounding seawater contains saturating concentrations of carbonate ions (CO3

2−).

PRESERVATION

PROGRAMSSOME PROGRAMS WORKING FOR THESE ACIDIFICATION ARE:1. Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) by National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2. UK Ocean Acidification (UKOA) Programs and Researches3. Precision Measurement and Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) which is

another sub-division of NOAA.

STEPS TAKEN BY THESE PROGRAMS:4. Creating Public Awareness5. Conducting researches that help in maximum expansion of knowledge

and taking appropriate actions for reduction in this ocean acidifications.6. Drafting plans for future reduction of the same with several other co-

operations.

Till date no steps have been taken as such for the reduction of the acidification.

WHAT CAN WE DO?We can adopt the following measures for our contribution towards this acidification:1. We can reduce our carbon footprint by: switching to energy

efficient products, dropping the temperature of our water heaters from 60o C to 400 C and by switching of appliances at the plug point.

2. By planting trees through processes like Reforestation and aforestation.

3. Reducing our vehicle use which is a major cause for emission of carbon-dioxide.

4. By using the three R’s of waste management