P2B 07The Oceans as a Store of Carbon & Ocean Acidification

What is the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs?

• Coral reefs are enhanced by acidification, leading to increased biodiversity.

• Coral reefs are threatened by acidification and warming, leading to coral bleaching, which impacts fisheries, coastal protection, and tourism.

• Ocean acidification has no significant effect on coral reefs.

• Coral reefs become more resilient to climate change due to acidification.

How does rising ocean temperature affect carbon absorption?

• Colder water absorbs more CO2 than warmer water.

• Rising temperatures increase the ocean's capacity to absorb CO2.

• Rising temperatures reduce the ocean's capacity to absorb CO2.

• Warmer water absorbs CO2 more efficiently than colder water.

What are the three primary mechanisms of carbon storage in the ocean?

• Direct absorption of CO2 by ocean water.

• Photosynthesis by phytoplankton, converting CO2 into organic matter.

• Creation of calcium carbonate structures by marine organisms.

• Absorption of CO2 by terrestrial plants.

How does ocean acidification affect marine life?

• It enhances the growth of all marine organisms.

• It has detrimental effects on organisms with calcium carbonate shells and structures, such as corals and shellfish, leading to issues like coral bleaching.

• It increases the oxygen levels in ocean waters.

• It has no significant impact on marine ecosystems.

What is ocean acidification and its primary cause?

• A process where absorbed CO2 forms carbonic acid in seawater, lowering its pH, primarily caused by increased atmospheric CO2 from burning fossil fuels.

• A phenomenon where ocean temperatures rise due to climate change.

• The increase in ocean salinity due to melting ice caps.

• The process of ocean currents changing direction due to tectonic activity.

How do ocean currents affect carbon distribution?

• Ocean currents distribute dissolved carbon throughout the ocean, influencing regional ecosystems.

• Ocean currents primarily affect temperature but not carbon distribution.

• Ocean currents only impact surface water temperatures, not carbon levels.

• Ocean currents have no significant effect on carbon distribution in the ocean.

What role do oceans play in the carbon cycle?

• Oceans act as a critical carbon sink, absorbing about 25% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which helps mitigate climate change.

• Oceans release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

• Oceans have no significant impact on the carbon cycle and are not involved in carbon storage.

• Oceans only absorb oxygen and do not play a role in carbon cycling.

What is deep ocean carbon storage?

• Carbon is stored in the deep ocean as organic matter that sinks to the ocean floor and is sequestered for thousands of years.

• Carbon is released into the atmosphere from the ocean surface.

• Carbon is stored in the ocean as dissolved gas only.

• Carbon is primarily found in the shallow waters of the ocean.