Ocean Acidification: Solutions to The Grave Environmental Concern

Introduction

Not some aliens, but humans themselves are destroying the planet Earth. Earth is a beautiful planet that has the blessing of water. Humans are making the water on earth acidic, and ocean acidification is the proper term for it. The phrase ocean acidification is used to describe a significant change in the chemistry of the ocean. Ocean acidification happens when atmospheric carbon dioxide reacts with seawater to have measurable impacts on ocean life. Human beings are responsible for ocean acidification, which is harming marine life and disturbing the chemical balance in the water ecosystem, we created this problem, and it is up to us to fix it. Right now is the best time to at least start preparing for the change to reduce the big issue that is ocean acidification. We are the ones who have to think about saving our planet Earth and finding effective ocean acidification solutions.

Human Impact on Ocean Acidification

Humans are to blame for carbon dioxide emissions in the sea. According to Zachos “It has been hypothesized that there was a release of about 2000 gigatons of carbon over approximately 10,000 years, presumably as a result of a massive volcanic methane release which resulted as an input of CO2 to the deep ocean” (Logan 819). Here, methane would have been the provider to activate the CO2 in ocean water and disturb the water pH, pH is the scale that can measure the acidity measure the acidity in the water. When carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, it generates Carbonic acid, and from those carbonate ions are made; instead, which is a reversible process that is harmful. 

Impact of Ocean Acidification on Marine Life

Marine life is affected most by ocean acidification. With being a reversible process ocean acidification is very dangerous for humans and sea life. According to Cheryl “decreased carbonate ion concentration could affect the calcification process for clarifying organisms as corals” (Logan 820). Sea life faces many consequences due to changes in seawater concentration as corals are important for the sea, it is harder for them to make their skeleton. The sea ecosystem would be disturbed if corals are disturbed in the sea which is very not beneficial. According to the article by UNEP-WCMC, “Coral reefs also provide sources for income, food, and coastal protection for more than 100 countries around the world” (Logan 822). Corals are of the main importance because they are the servers for the habitat of other marine life as fish. According to the article “Lowered pH could affect acid-base regulation, as well as a variety of other physiological processes” (Logan 820). Physiological effects mean that the reproduction, metabolism, respiration, and other life functions of sea life as squids, sea urchins, worms, crabs, etc. will be disturbed. It will not be beneficial for the marine ecosystem when marine life would be disturbed. Many functions of marine organisms such as to reproduce are disturbed whenever there is a big change in the water concentration of ions.

Solutions to Ocean Acidification

To reduce the risk of ocean acidification we can take possible solutions. The Inter Academy Panel Statement on Ocean Acidification 2009 states, “To avoid substantial damage to ocean ecosystems, deep and rapid reductions of global CO2 emissions by at least 50% by 2050, and much more thereafter are needed” (Logan 824). It might be too late in the future if we do not stop the use of carbon-containing elements in daily life that is harmful to marine life. It is not wrong to raise more awareness on the issue so that people have more knowledge of what damage they are doing to their planet. It would also not be wrong to tell people to take action right now. It is atmospheric CO2 that goes in the sea and reacts with seawater to cause a disturbance, so the main step would be to somehow lessen the production of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Humans are a very interesting species, when are told not to do something they would go and do it. It is the same for issues for the environment too.

Conclusion

When an environmental issue is discussed every person shows that they are very concerned about the issue and wants to do everything they can. But then again we still cut trees after discussing deforestation. We still use plastic after discovering a lot of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. And we still use products that contain CFC after knowing about ozone depletion. It is very hard to change human nature on how they view the issue if they do not truly care about it. But some issues are worth attention taking, such as ocean acidification. We need to stop this because if we do not, it will go on as it is reversible. In the end, to save the water ecosystem we need to take action right now or it is going to be very late.

References

1. Logan, Robert A., editor. Issues in Environmental Science and Technology: Ocean Acidification. Royal Society of Chemistry, 2010.