THE PROBLEM OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATIONby Pragati Dubey | 26-07-2021 13:55 |
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  71 percent of the Earth is covered by water, 97 percent of it is in the seas and oceans and only three percent is potable, of which 2.4 percent is stored in the glaciers of the North and South Pole and only 0.6 percent is in rivers, lakes. and in ponds. Our ocean acts as a carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, which causes changes in the basic chemistry of the ocean. When carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean water, a chemical reaction causes the formation of organic acids (H2CO3), due to which the amount of hydrogen ions in the water increases, which increases the acidity of the ocean and increases the acidity of sea water. pH decreases. This process is called ocean acidification. In other words, when there is a change in the basic chemistry of the ocean due to a continuous decrease in the pH value of the ocean, it is called 'ocean acidification'. The absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean helps reduce the climate impact of carbon dioxide emissions, but also negatively impacts the pH value of the ocean. If the pH value of ocean water continues to decrease in an unnatural way, it affects marine ecosystems and food chains. Marine fauna such as corals, echinoderms, crustaceans and molluscs are being seriously affected. What is the cause of ocean acidification? Ocean chemistry is constantly changing due to the following reasons: 1. Industrial Revolution 2. High concentration of carbon dioxide 3. Use of Fossil Fuels 4. Cement Manufacturing 5. Change of Land Use 6. Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels in the Ocean 7. Increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 8. Chemical reactions are formed due to high concentration of hydrogen ions 9. Reduction of Carbonate Ions 10. Loss of Biodiversity 11. Changes in the Technology of Production of Biogas 12. Lack of eco-friendly laws and regulations How does ocean acidification affect marine ecosystems? 1. It lowers the concentration of carbonates, which are important for building blocks, in seawater. 2. It disrupts the food chain of marine organisms, making it difficult to form calcium carbonate shells or shells in acidified water. 3. It has a significant impact on tourism activities such as commercial fisheries, shellfish making, aquaculture, recreational fisheries, snorkeling and scuba diving. Ocean acidification has increased only after industrialization. The pre-industrial pH value of ocean water was 8.179, which has risen to 8.1074 due to a 19% increase in H+ ions. At present, the pH value of ocean water is 8.069 and this corresponds to a 28.8% increase in H+ unions since the industrialization of the 18th century. |
