Ocean Acidification Test

Front

What is ocean acidification?

Back

Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in pH levels of the ocean due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Front

What are marine calcifiers?

Back

Marine calcifiers are organisms that build their shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate, such as corals, mollusks, and some species of plankton.

Front

What is the pH scale?

Back

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with 7 being neutral.

Front

What is the typical pH of an acid?

Back

The typical pH of an acid is lower than 7.

Front

What is global warming?

Back

Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases.

Front

What role do greenhouse gases play in climate change?

Back

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space, which leads to an increase in global temperatures.

Front

What is calcium carbonate?

Back

Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound (CaCO3) that is essential for the formation of shells and skeletons in marine organisms.

Front

Name an example of a marine organism that requires calcium carbonate.

Back

An example of a marine organism that requires calcium carbonate is a crab.

Front

What is the impact of ocean acidification on marine life?

Back

Ocean acidification can harm marine life, particularly organisms that rely on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons, making it harder for them to survive.

Front

What is the relationship between CO2 levels and ocean acidity?

Back

As CO2 levels in the atmosphere increase, more CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, leading to higher acidity and lower pH levels.