“Did you know the ocean helps reduce carbon?”

Did you know the ocean plays a key role in reducing carbon?

Seawater plays an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, acting as a natural mechanism to regulate the amount of CO₂ on Earth. However, increased absorption of CO₂ leads to ocean acidification, which negatively affects marine life and ecosystems.

Ocean Absorption of CO₂:

• The ocean absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere through a process where the gas dissolves into seawater.
• Once dissolved, CO₂ reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which then breaks down into bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻).
• This process helps reduce atmospheric CO₂ but also increases the acidity of seawater.

Impacts of Ocean Acidification:

• The increased acidity makes it harder for marine organisms that build shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate, such as corals, shellfish, and plankton, to form and maintain these structures.
• Some fish species, such as clownfish, may lose their ability to detect predators in more acidic waters, affecting their behavior and survival.
• Marine ecosystems may undergo significant changes, such as the decline of coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of marine life.

Source : noaa