Ocean Acidification

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Ocean Acidification Noun

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[o-shun a-sid-i-fi-kay-shun]

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Ocean Acidification

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The ongoing decrease in the pH of Earth's oceans, caused by the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).

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Example: Factories release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air, which is then absorbed by the ocean, causing it to become more acidic.

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Carbon Sink Noun

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[kar-bon sink]

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Carbon Sink

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A natural reservoir, such as the ocean, that accumulates and stores carbon-containing chemical compounds for an indefinite period.

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Example: This diagram shows that carbon sinks, like the ocean and land, are natural reservoirs that absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

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Carbon Sequestration Noun

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[kar-bon see-kwes-tray-shun]

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Carbon Sequestration

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The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, often within a natural reservoir like the deep ocean.

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Example: This diagram shows carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air being captured by phytoplankton and transported to the deep ocean, sequestering it from the atmosphere.

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Salinity Noun

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[suh-lin-i-tee]

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Salinity

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A measurement representing the total concentration of all dissolved salts present within a body of water.

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Example: This diagram shows that salinity is the measure of all salts dissolved in water, with most of it being chloride and sodium.

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Carbonic Acid Noun

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[kar-bon-ik as-id]

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Carbonic Acid

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A weak acid (H2CO3) that is formed when atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves and reacts with water molecules.

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Example: This diagram shows a carbon dioxide molecule (CO2) and a water molecule (H2O) combining to create a carbonic acid molecule (H2CO3).

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Hydrogen Ion Noun

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[hy-dro-jen eye-on]

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Hydrogen Ion

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A positively charged ion (H+) whose concentration in a solution determines its acidity level, or pH value.

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Example: This diagram shows a negative hydrogen ion, which has two electrons, donating one of its electrons to another atom called a free radical.

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Bicarbonate Ion Noun

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[by-kar-buh-nit eye-on]

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Bicarbonate Ion

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An ion (HCO3-) that is produced when carbonic acid dissociates, or breaks apart, in an aqueous solution.

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Example: This image shows a model of a bicarbonate ion, which is made of one hydrogen atom (white), one carbon atom (black), and three oxygen atoms (red).

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Carbonate Ion Noun

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[kar-buh-nit eye-on]

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Carbonate Ion

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An ion (CO32-) that is a crucial building block for many marine organisms to construct their calcium carbonate shells.

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Example: This diagram shows a carbonate ion, which is made of one carbon and three oxygen atoms and has a negative charge.

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pH Noun

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[pee-eych]

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pH

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A logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution based on hydrogen ion concentration.

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Example: This image shows the pH scale, a tool used to measure if a substance is acidic (low numbers), neutral (7), or alkaline (high numbers).

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pH Scale Noun

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[pee-eych skayl]

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pH Scale

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The measurement scale for acidity, where lower numbers indicate higher acidity due to a greater concentration of hydrogen ions.

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Example: The pH scale from 0 to 14 measures acidity and basicity, showing examples like acidic lemon juice, neutral pure water, and basic seawater.