Ocean acidification

Ocean Acidification

Ocean Acidification (pronunciation: /ˈoʊʃən əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/) is a significant environmental issue that refers to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Etymology

The term "Ocean Acidification" is derived from the English words "Ocean" and "Acidification". "Ocean" comes from the Old French "Occean" (13th century), which is derived from the Latin "Oceanus", and ultimately from the Greek "Okeanos", the great river or sea surrounding the disk of the Earth. "Acidification" is a process of becoming acidic, which comes from the Latin "acidus" meaning sour, and the English suffix "-fication" meaning the act of making.

Definition

Ocean Acidification is the process by which carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean, leading to a decrease in pH levels. This process increases the acidity of the ocean, which can have harmful effects on marine life, particularly shell-forming animals and reef-building corals.

Causes

The primary cause of Ocean Acidification is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then absorbed by the ocean, leading to an increase in acidity. Other causes include deforestation and cement production.

Effects

The effects of Ocean Acidification are wide-ranging and can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems. These effects include the dissolution of shells and skeletons of marine organisms, changes in the behavior of fish and other marine animals, and the potential for large-scale changes in ocean ecosystems.

Related Terms

• Carbon Dioxide
• pH
• Marine Life
• Coral Reefs
• Fossil Fuels
• Deforestation
• Cement Production

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Ocean acidification
• Wikipedia's article - Ocean acidification

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