Carbon dioxide is a common and essential gas. It is required for life to exist. However, in recent times carbon dioxide has come under close scrutiny of humanity as its thermal heat retention capabilities have become realized and its ability to change the climate of our planet has become apparent. However, given the intensity and implications of the global warming debate, a topic of less intensity but equal importance has been swept under the carpet. Ocean acidification is an issue caused by carbon dioxide but is much less well known then the classic global warming. So this set of articles is set on the topic of ocean acidification. Through this set of article it will become apparent that CO2 is not just a cause for global warming, but is a catalyst for climate change in general.

Ocean acidification is defined as the continual process of decreasing pH of the Earth?s oceans. This ?acidification? of the oceans is caused by the uptake of CO2 into the oceans from the atmosphere. Approximately 30-40% of human emissions of CO2 are absorbed by the oceans. The CO2 absorbed by the ocean water will react with the water to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate and H+ ions. This increase of H+ ions in the ocean water is the process of ocean acidification.

This process is one which occurs naturally but the excess human emissions have caused this process to become faster than normal. Like so many other natural cycles, it has become overburdened by the human influence. In the next article we will explore the effects of this process upon wildlife and climate as well as explore some examples of these impacts. This will shed some more light upon the issue of ocean acidification and the magnitude of its impacts upon the earth?s environment. 

Photo Credits: oceana.org