Ocean acidification project

What is ocean acidification and how do we know there is a problem?

Ocean acidification is a ecological issue where the acid in the ocean gets too high. It all started in the Industrial Revolution when a dramatic increase in human population occurred and more factories were built. When the human population spiked it resulted in an increase in carbon dioxide in the air. The same happened with the factories as may of them burned fossil fuels which releases carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide released in the air was then absorbed by the water,this resulted in the water becoming acidic. We know ths because this has affected many species that survive in the water due to a certain PH level such as coral reefs, oysters, mussles, urchins, starfish, zooplankton, fish, plants, and algae.

Industrial revolution factories burning fossil fuels

Carbon dioxide increase due to human population

What causes ocean acidification?

• Carbon dioxide
• The carbon dioxide (CO2) comes from humans and fossil fuels.
• Humans: When humans breath out they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• Fossil fuels: When fossil fuels are burnt in factories for a variety of different purposes it releases carbon dioxide as well as other gasses into the atmosphere

Sources:

https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/ocean-acidification

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/endangered_oceans/index.html#:~:text=Shell%2Dforming%20animals%20like%20corals,and%2C%20ultimately%2C%20their%20survival.

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/co2-and-ocean-acidification#:~:text=The%20most%20effective%20way%20to,the%20harm%20to%20marine%20ecosystems.

Electric Cars and the Environment: How Green Are EVs? - NCC (northwestautocollision.com)

What are the possible future effects of this problem? How will it affect the world?

The possible future effects on this issue is extinction of animals that are effected by the increase in the acid. It will effect the biodiversity of the ocean and a decrease in food consumption for humans. For example,when the ocean becomes more acidic it damages the shells of animals which will then overtime cause them to die. This will affect the oceans biodiversity due to the deaths that will occur.

What is being done to solve this problem? Are there laws related to the topic?

Decrease in fossil fuel reliance. When fossil fuels are burned carbon dioxide is released so since we are decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels it will decrease the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air. This will benefit the well being of the oceans PH level (So it does not get to acidic). There are no laws related to this topic.

What can an individual do to help?

What an individual can do to help is to start using electric cars or ride a bike. This will decrease the amount carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Compared to cars that use gasoline/diesel. According to northwestautocollision.com, research shows that the use of electric cars can decrease the emissions of carbon dioxide into the air by 80%. For a more cost effective solution you could even ride a bike which uses no gas as well.