Ocean Acidification

What organisms are primarily affected by ocean acidification?

• Sea turtles and whales

• Oysters and corals

• Seaweed and algae

• Sharks and dolphins

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How do organisms like oysters and corals build their shells and skeletons?

• Through photosynthesis

• By consuming smaller shell-building organisms

• By combining calcium and carbonate from seawater

• By absorbing silicon from seawater

What happens to carbonate ions (CO32-) as ocean acidification increases?

• They bond with excess oxygen

• They bond with excess hydrogen

• They become more stable

• They increase in number

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

Why are fewer carbonate ions available for calcifying organisms due to ocean acidification?

• Because they bond with excess hydrogen

• Because they are being used up by non-calcifying organisms

• Because they evaporate into the atmosphere

• Because they are converted into other compounds

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

What can happen to shells and skeletons of calcifying organisms if the pH of the ocean gets too low?

• They can change color

• They can grow larger

• They become indestructible

• They can begin to dissolve