Module 5– Activity No.1 Crafting of Web Page/Blog through online platforms

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

What is Ocean Acidification?

Ocean acidification is the process whereby ocean waters increase in acid concentration, and the pH level falls beyond normal. There are many things that contribute to this occurrence. Salinity can be simply explained and understood as the amount of salt concentration. Also, the ocean water has some level of pH and is mostly rated on the higher side of the neutral pH on the pH scale.

There are certain times that the ocean experiences changes in its nature. This can encompass the increase in the ocean or seawater acidity. Again, the ocean acidification process can also be explained as a situation where the level of carbon IV oxide in the water increases drastically. This may be influenced by some human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels that cause harm to the atmosphere.

Causes of Ocean Acidification

 1. Raised Carbon IV oxide Concentration in the Ocean

When the level of carbon dioxide gas gets higher in the ocean, it obviously affects the whole water. When sea organisms die on the sea beds, their remains pile up and form corals, which is consisting of carbons. Also, these organisms release calcium into the water. These compounds have a far-reaching detrimental impact on the composition of the water as they add acidity.

2. Raised Carbon IV oxide Concentration in the Atmosphere

 Sometimes, the harm induced in the atmosphere can spread into the waters. This is when carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through various human activities. This, in turn, contaminates the water because the carbon gases get to be dissolved in the sea waters, and this lowers the pH of the water, contributing to acidification.  

 3. Higher Concentration of Hydrogen ions in the Water

At the sea beds, there are some chemical reactions that may take place, and they can have negative impacts on the quality of the ocean water. Such reactions may include the increase in hydrogen ions which, when combined with other compounds such as nitrogen, water, among other gases, and their reactions lead to ocean water acidity. 

4.Waste Disposal

Disposal of wastes has been a challenge to many countries. As for those that border seawater masses, they have been too quick on using the oceans as the possible dumping grounds of domestic and industrial wastes. Nonetheless, as the atmosphere shoulders the brunt of poisonous gases, sea waters are on the receiving end of dangerous liquid wastes.

Alongside direct sewage waste disposal, there are other wastes that increase the level of acidity in the water. As an example, industrial and agricultural wastes that have acidic compounds are very dangerous as they lower the PH of the ocean water

Effects of Ocean Acidification

1. Increase in the Carbon dioxide Concentration in the Ocean

     Ocean acidification does not only change the PH of the ocean water. As a matter of fact, it also changes the gaseous concentration in the ocean and to be particular, it increases the concentration of carbon dioxide.

     This is because of the reactions between carbon dioxide and water molecules to form more carbonic acid. And when it rains on the water masses, the level of carbon concentration rises further and further instead of subsiding as more carbon dioxide is absorbed to form more carbonic acid. This may lead to suffocation and even death of marine creatures.

2. Loss of Aquatic Life

      The seawater supports life at its normal conditions. Nevertheless, when the PH level is lowered or raised, some organisms are affected. Some of the aquatic include various types of fish, mammals such as whales, sharks and many more

     An increase in acidity makes living cumbersome and almost impossible for some living things. This leads to the disappearance or death of some organisms in the aquatic ecological environment.

3. Food Shortage

     Ocean acidification contributes to the problem of food shortage in many ways.  When fish die, humans who depend on them or food and livelihood are hit by the socio-economic problem

     This process also contributes to acidic waters, which have a more devastating effect on agricultural production. Acidic water results in an increase in soil acidity. Such a thing makes it impossible for the cultivation and production of certain crops. This leads to low production and starvation. 

4. Impact on Human Health

     Humans depend on water for various purposes. When the ocean water acidity gets higher, the consumers or the users of such water are living in a perilous situation. Diseases such as cancers can easily be transmitted to humans when they consume fish intoxicated with higher sulfur concentrations.

 

Solution to Ocean Acidification

1. Strict and Relevant Regulations

     Human actions are best guarded by the policies of the land. The first step towards the fight against ocean acidification can be commenced through the ratification of legislation that can ensure that the waste handling, among other pollution-risk activities, is controlled. Such regulations would spread to the fisheries department to ensure that safety is maintained in food consumption.

2. Reducing the Consumption of Carbon-oriented Energy Sources

     The presence of a high concentration of carbon in the atmosphere can be attributed to various human activities, which can be controlled to some extent. Carbon emitted from fossil fuels can be reduced through the minimization of the use of such fuels.

     Adopting the use of alternative/renewable energy sources can be the best available option. Diversification of energy sources such as the use of solar and wind as the alternative energy sources can significantly pay off.

Bausal, Chezka Lorraine

 Stem 11–2