Overview
Ocean acidification is a significant environmental issue caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the oceans. This process lowers the pH of seawater, making it more acidic, which can have detrimental effects on marine life, particularly organisms that rely on calciu...
Key Terms
Example: A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic.
Example: CO2 levels have increased due to human activities.
Example: Corals and mollusks are calcifying organisms.
Example: Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots.
Example: The ocean ecosystem includes fish, plants, and microorganisms.
Example: Ocean acidification affects marine life.
Related Topics
Climate Change
The long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, affecting ecosystems globally.
advancedMarine Biology
The study of marine organisms, their behaviors, and interactions with the environment.
intermediateCarbon Cycle
The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.
intermediateKey Concepts
carbon dioxide absorptionpH levelsmarine ecosystemscalcifying organisms