Ocean acidification may
cause many negative effects
on a variety of marine species
and ecosystems, which would
have rippling consequences
throughout the entire ocean.
One of the most devastating
impacts of rising ocean
acidity could be the collapse
of food webs.
Caron
For tens of millions of years, Earth's
oceans have maintained a relatively
stable acidity level. It's within this steady
environment that the rich and varied
web of life in today's seas has arisen and
flourished. But research shows that this
ancient balance is being undone by a
recent and rapid drop in surface pH that
could have devastating global
consequences.
EPA has taken initial steps to limit
emissions that cause climate change and
ocean acidification.
“We cannot continue to rely on the
oceans to buffer the effects of our
pollution indefinitely.”
Johnson, Ashanti, and Natasha D. White. "Ocean Acidification: The Other
Climate Change Issue." American Scientist 102.1 (2014): 60-63.
ACIDIFICATION OF THE OCEAN AND GLOBAL WARMING
“The health of the ocean is spiraling downwards far
more rapidly than we had thought. We are seeing
greater change, happening faster, and the effects are
more imminent than previously anticipated. The
situation should be of the gravest concern to everyone
since everyone will be affected by changes in the
ability of the ocean to support life on Earth.” Alex
Rogers, IPSO Director
“Deadly Trio”
1. Deoxygenation
2. Acidification
3. Warming
Ian Peuser
Intro to Env.
Studies
Acid Rain
by; Nick Gordon
- Mixture of wet and dry material that contain higher than
normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acid
- EPA taking steps to limit amount of NOx and SO2 emitted
into the atmosphere
- Electricity overuse is a huge factor in acid rain production
Hood
"Over Earth’s history, ocean life has recovered from numerous sudden
extinction episodes by adaptation and evolution of new species, but the time
scales for extinction and re-population are millions of years, not a few hundred
years. Human-driven ocean acidification is affecting the ocean far faster than
the Earth’s natural recovery pace can accommodate. Today’s rate of
acidification is 10 times faster than anything experienced since the demise of
the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.” The Ocean Acidification Reference User
Group, 'Ocean Acidification: Questions Answered‘ (2011)
ERICA
DOW
Causes
*Overfishing *Pollution
*Ocean Warming
*Acidification *Hypoxia –
when there is deprivation of
oxygen
By Erica Dow
Nicholas Libby
Acidification of Coral Reefs
“Under conditions expected in the 21st century, global warming and ocean
acidification will compromise carbonate accretion, with corals becoming
increasingly rare on reef systems. The result will be less diverse reef communities
and carbonate reef structures that fail to be maintained.”- O. Hoegh-Guldberg