Ocean Acidification Affecting Coral Reefs

“Since the beginning of the industrial era, the ocean has absorbed some 525 billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, presently around 22 million tons per day” (Ocean Portal, n.d). This number is expected to increase forevermore as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels increase and the effects of Climate Change worsen. At first, the idea of our oceans absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere may sound great, however, scientists have been quick to learn otherwise. High concentrations of carbon dioxide in oceans can have detrimental effects on the ocean chemistry and marine ecosystems (Hardt; Safina, 2008). Marine ecosystems are greatly complex and depend on every marine organism to function properly, any change can put the whole ecosystem at risk. For example, the increase of carbon dioxide in our oceans is responsible for the dissolving of “brittle star” skeletal parts, which has in effect caused food scarcity for many fish, crabs, shrimp, and other starfish (Leu, 2013). Furthermore, these marine ecosystems are very important to humans- being the primary food source for millions around the world and having an economic market worth trillions of dollars (Hardt; Safina, 2008). Part of keeping these ecosystems safe is to understand how they work and how projected changes can harm marine organisms.

The industrial Revolution was an event that changed the world forever. Tasks and lives became easier, cheaper, and more productive, but just like every decision isn’t there a consequence? The consequence to having machines and factories create our materials and goods on a larger scale, were the dangers created within our atmosphere and bodies. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are used to create the needed and desired materials wanted today, but within the construction process pollution and cancer are admitted. The United States as well as the whole world, are causing pollution and cancer to become a known side effect of using fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution. The machines used to acquire fruits and vegetables, the machines invented to create clothing at large rates, the machines created to construct materials for homes, cars, stores, and skyscrapers are still being used and modified today. What was at first believed to be this genius idea since the eighteenth century, has caused nothing but death and delayed destruction of our world. What has been created and thought of then, is imagined to be fixed today but that ideology is where our self-destruction lies. Inventors and entrepreneurs are relying on the idea of solving our current issues relating to pollution and cancer with the establishment of newer technology that is said to slowly diminish our concerns. It is very contradictory to have our conflicts be solved by the exact materials that had

In 2004 The US Ocean Commission proposed several critical recommendations to address the health and management of our oceans. These recommendations range from better organization of current management offices to education of the public on issues pertaining to oceans and coastal areas. The importance of healthy oceans, waterways, and coastal areas cannot be denied. As humans we rely on these areas for food, fuel, materials for various products, and recreation just to name a few. Aside from the human aspect the health of the earth’s oceans is also bound to the air and land. Many other creatures throughout the world depend on a harmonious balance of the human species with the waters that surrounds us. The sooner we can find equilibrium with

In conclusion The Industrial Revolution had it’s good times and bad but overall it shaped our world as we know it today. People do not even realise the trials and tribulations it took to get technology where it is today. The revolution was the start of the end in a way that it started major pollution and climate issues. Even though it is a known fact that the machinery created pollutes the earth, it shows how advanced our knowledge is on

The industrial revolution marked a major turning point in Earth’s relationship with the environment. As said the world saw a significant increase in the population, which also applied to an increase of living standards, which led to many natural resources, however that was not the case. Natural resources were provided easily whilst it led to many severe natural changes simply because many people were consuming more natural resources. Higher living standards led to forests being cut down to make ways to expand cities and provide lumber for construction. Another destruction that struck in the industrial revolution era was pollution, as various types of pollutions were going on at the same time damaging. The different types of pollution that occurred

Beginning with the industrial revolution, a major boom in industry and product manufacturing, pollution entered the water system at alarming rates. The main issue was the release of CO2, or carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere which would eventually make its way into the ocean, causing ocean acidification, or the lowering of the PH (potential of hydrogen) levels. According to Richard Feely, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “Many scientists believe that decreasing pH in the oceans interferes with the ability of certain marine animals, such as corals and other calcifying marine organisms, to make their skeletons and shells from calcium carbonate minerals” (Bradshaw, Kate). In turn, this would cause a devastating effect on organisms that utilize those marine animals as shelter, and likely cause a noticeable loss in biodiversity within species of snails, lobsters, clams, and oysters (Bradshaw, Kate). When these types of keystone species (otherwise known as species that are vital to the survival of many other organisms) are at risk, so is the rest of the food web (“What is Ocean…). Over one billion people rely on those keystone species as a main source of food, and many more find employment by fishing them, so preserving these organisms is vital to not only marine

Ocean acidification has numerous causes, but there are even more effects than there are causes. The many effects have an impact on not only marine animals but humans too. Some of these effects include issues associated with coral reefs, organisms under the sea, and human businesses. This problem that seems to be a simple issue is an important source of loss of sea creatures and income. This is the main reason that we need to control ocean acidification.The effects of ocean acidification both above and below the ocean’s surface are detrimental to the environment.

ocean’s eco-system that we wouldn’t be forced to adjust to prosper in a safe and effective way of survival. An organization once stated that, “the air that you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the products that keep you warm, safe, informed, and entertained — all can come from or be transported by the ocean, you hurt it is, its just going to hurt you back,” (Protect Plant Ocean). That quote relates back to this, ocean acidification is a socio- ecological system that will have to carry out the repercussions of being universal, evidently supported and complex. It is a wicked problem that will be hard to turn around and what our society is doing is we are learning how to deal with the effects by having the ability to survive without

A burden which lays on the shoulders of today’s man is that of climate change, namely, global warming. However, this evil has many ignored byproducts, some which are equally detrimental. In this thesis, we will write about the effects of one of the greatest of this, ocean acidification, known as “global warming’s equally evil twin”.

Our Oceans are a vital bloodline carrying humans, water, and different types of animals and plants. Now more than ever our oceans are in peril due to the disastrous effects of Ocean Acidification. According to, NOAA Director Dr. Jane Lubchenco (2016), “Ocean Acidification is often referred to as global warming’s equally evil twin” (The Osprey pg.1). Ocean Acidification is an issue that the general public knows very little about yet is just as dangerous. Our Oceans are like a gigantic beaker with a mix of different solutions but because of ocean acidification this might disturb the balance for the planet. According to, Ludwig of The Science Teacher (2015), “OA is a harmful consequence of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and poses a threat to marine life” (p.42). The high amount of carbon dioxide creates a toxic environment for sea life. As a society, it is our duty to help restore our oceans and prevent the dangerous possibility of massive sea loss, economic downfall, and coral bleaching.

Ocean acidification can be defined as the continuous decrease of the pH of Earth’s oceans. This process occurs as a result of the rise in carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. Due to the rapid industrialization of various countries on Earth, humans have become more accessible to energy by utilizing non-renewable resources that are derived from carbon in the ground.

Ocean acidification has recently become a big problem. Coral reefs and fish are dying, causing local economies to lose up to $375 billion every year from lack of tourism and fishing profits (Worland). Ocean acidification is caused mainly by carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide “reacts with water molecules to form carbonic acid,” thus increasing the acidity (Stone). “The ocean currently absorbs about a third of human-created CO2 emissions, roughly 22 million tons a day,” according to National Geographic. We’ve already “disposed” of 530 tons billion tons of carbon dioxide into the ocean. Because of this scientists are now studying the ocean and have thought of two possible ways to reduce acidity - geoengineering and cutting carbon emissions.

Throughout human existence, people have relied on oceans for everything from food to a place to dump waste. The activities that take place on land and in water have affected ocean productivity, ecosystems and physical aspects in various ways. Over the last century, the uncontrolled growth of fishing, pollution, and habitat destruction, along with other factors have changed the sea life. Although there

Ocean Acidification (OA) is a term used to describe significant changes to the chemistry of the ocean.It occurs when carbon dioxide gas (or CO2) is absorbed by the ocean and reacts with seawater to produce acid. Although CO2 gas naturally moves between the atmosphere and the oceans, the increased amounts of CO2 gas emitted into the atmosphere, mainly as a result of human activities (e.g. burning fossil fuels), has been increasing the amount of CO2 absorbed by the ocean, which results in seawater that is more acidic.This is a major problem to humans and marine life, this is a problem because when the carbon dioxide levels rise the wildlife in the ocean

The world we live in is so vast and exciting. Seventy percent of our world is liquid water we call the ocean. In the ocean there are many creatures that each are unique in their own way. However, it is possible that in our lifetime, many marine organisms will become endangered or possibly extinct. The loss of these mejestic marine creatures will be caused mainly because of human advancements in which fossil fuels are used to produce energy. Biodiversity is greatly affected by this increase in acidity. As the ocean acidifies, multiple social and economic issues arise. As humans, we rely on the ocean for almost everything. Much of our food, clothing, cleaning products and cosmetics come from the ocean. With the loss of