CO₂ Absorption in Oceans

Front

Behavior of carbon dioxide in seawater

Back

Carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater and combines with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.

Front

Source of CO₂ absorption by the ocean

Back

The ocean absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Front

Building new shells is difficult as ocean acidity increases.

Back

Higher acidity makes it harder for marine organisms to form shells.

Front

Marine organisms affected by ocean acidity.

Back

Shellfish, corals, plankton, sea urchins, and starfish are impacted.

Front

Definition of anthropogenic.

Back

Environmental change caused or influenced by people.

Front

Ocean absorbs CO₂

Back

When the ocean absorbs a lot of CO₂, the water becomes more acidic.

Front

CO₂ and ocean acidity

Back

Increased CO₂ absorption by the ocean leads to more acidic water.

Front

Shell-like material in corals

Back

Corals have skeletons made of the same shell-like material as mussels.

Front

Litmus paper is treated with a lichen-provided natural-soluble dye.

Back

This dye allows the paper to indicate pH levels.

Front

The color transition of litmus paper occurs over the pH range 4.5–8.3.

Back

This range is critical for determining acidity or basicity.