Ocean acidification

Ocean Acidification & Coral reefs 🙂

Ocean acidification is the gradual acidification of seawater due to the absorption and release of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the ocean. The ocean and the atmosphere are constantly exchanging gases, and any component released into the atmosphere will eventually dissolve in the ocean.

Before the advent of the industrial age, changes in atmospheric carbon were primarily the result of natural factors, and this natural variability caused natural fluctuations in the global climate. Beginning with the industrial revolution, humans have exploited the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, and have deforested so much that by the beginning of the 21st century, more than 500 billion tons of carbon dioxide had been emitted. This has caused the level of carbon in the atmosphere to increase year by year. Studies show that during the 19th and 20th centuries, the oceans absorbed 30% of human emissions of carbon dioxide and are still absorbing it at a rate of about one million tons per hour. Human activities have led to the continuous acidification of the ocean.

Coral reefs are a kind of rock made of calcium carbonate. It can provide food and habitats for marine organisms. It also protects the shoreline from storms. 

We should care about coral reefs because first coral reefs are important for marine organisms. Coral reefs provide an ecosystem in the sea. They offer food for fishes and shelters for them to live in and avoid predators. Secondly, coral reefs protect the shorelines. The existence of coral reefs can reduce the strong wave’s damage to the coastline. Thirdly, if coral reefs all died, many tourist industries cannot make money anymore because the beautiful underwater scene is gone.

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that the coral reefs’ color is turning white. As the acidity of the water increases, the water becomes more and more soluble in coral reefs’ calcium carbonate shells. Then coral reefs are bleaching. Major threats to coral reefs are ocean acidification, climate change, water pollution, tourism, etc.

Oceans absorb and release excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, resulting in a reduction of ocean PH value. (become more acidic) Ocean acidification caused by the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Because the ocean is keeping exchanging gases with the atmosphere, so when the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide, the water will become more acidic.

With a lower PH value in the ocean, the nutritional value of nutrient salt will decrease, and the organ of phytoplankton will also be influenced. (the ability to absorb nutrients) Ocean acidification will also cause many coral reefs to bleach, then many marine organisms that depend on these corals will die. Besides, if the ocean became more acidic, this can be a threat to animals who have shells. Some organisms’ shells are made from calcium carbonate. The acidic sea water can make their shells dissolve. 

In order to reduce the threat, humans can do many things. Companies should use burn fewer fossil fuels, and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that release into the air. Plant more trees. Trees can absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Besides, we can take the subway, and walk to the workplace instead of driving cars. Cars release many carbon dioxide. We can also use electric cars.

Coral reefs are crucial to marine organisms. Many small fishes cannot live without coral reefs. For them, coral reefs can not only provide food , but also offer shelters for them. Coral reefs are ecosystems in underwater. Secondly, coral reefs can protect can reduce the strong wave’s damage to the coastline. Coral reefs can help to against the strong currents and waves. They can prevent the damage.cThirdly, protecting coral reefs is not only beneficial to marine organisms but also conducive to humans. Coral reefs protect marine organisms, which is the same as protecting human food. Coastlines are boundaries between sea and land. Without the coral reefs, the coastline will rise and pose a threat to humans. (flooding the city) Also, human recreation will also disappear if we did not pay attention to protecting the coral reefs. If coral reefs were all bleaching, we cannot see the beautiful underseas anymore.