What is ocean acidification?
Q: What is ocean acidification?
A: Ocean acidification is the decrease in the pH (scale of acidity and alkalinity) and increase in acidity of the Earth's oceans.
Q: What causes ocean acidification?
A: Ocean acidification is caused by the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) that humans have put into the atmosphere.
Q: How much carbon dioxide from the air goes into the oceans?
A: More than 30% of the carbon dioxide in the air goes into the oceans.
Q: What happens when carbon dioxide enters the oceans?
A: When carbon dioxide enters the oceans, it makes it more acidic.
Q: What is the impact of ocean acidification?
A: Ocean acidification has a negative impact on marine life as it affects the ability of animals like plankton and shellfish to form their shells or exoskeletons and could lead to a decrease in productivity and overall marine biodiversity.
Q: What can be done to prevent ocean acidification?
A: Reducing carbon emissions by using renewable energy or optimizing energy efficiency could reduce the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, therefore lowering carbon dioxide that enters the oceans.
Q: Can we reverse the effects of ocean acidification?
A: It is unlikely to reverse the effects of ocean acidification but limiting CO2 emissions can help prevent further negative consequences for marine life.
