All Flashcards
Explain the link between atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidity.
Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to increased CO2 absorption by oceans, forming carbonic acid and increasing acidity.
Why is calcium carbonate availability important for marine life?
It's essential for shell formation, protection, buoyancy, and internal pH regulation in many marine organisms.
How does ocean acidification affect marine food webs?
It impacts organisms at the base of the food chain, leading to ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.
What is the effect of ocean acidification on fish physiology?
Acidification can disrupt their sense of smell and cause physiological stress.
How can increased CO2 levels benefit some aquatic plants?
Seagrass and algae tend to grow more in a CO2-rich environment.
What is the significance of pteropods in the marine ecosystem?
They are a major food source for many species and play a crucial role in the food chain.
Define ocean acidification.
Ongoing decrease in ocean pH due to CO2 absorption from the atmosphere.
Define calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
A crucial building block for shells and skeletons of many marine organisms.
Define pH.
A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
Define carbonic acid.
Acid formed when CO2 dissolves in water (H2CO3).
Define pteropods.
Tiny sea snails that are a major food source in marine ecosystems.
Define eutrophication.
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Define hypoxic environment.
An aquatic environment with low oxygen levels.
Describe the chemical process of ocean acidification.
CO2 dissolves in seawater, forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), which releases hydrogen ions (H+), lowering pH.