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What happens to the majority of CaCO₃ in shallow water depths?
What happens to the majority of CaCO₃ in shallow water depths?
The increase in atmospheric CO₂ leads to a deeper carbonate compensation depth (CCD).
The increase in atmospheric CO₂ leads to a deeper carbonate compensation depth (CCD).
False
What effect does ocean acidification have on marine phytoplankton and plant species?
What effect does ocean acidification have on marine phytoplankton and plant species?
It can have negative, neutral, or positive effects.
The depth at which all carbonate is dissolved is known as the __________.
The depth at which all carbonate is dissolved is known as the __________.
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Match the following outcomes to marine species based on CO₂ levels:
Match the following outcomes to marine species based on CO₂ levels:
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What is ocean acidification primarily caused by?
What is ocean acidification primarily caused by?
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Coral reefs benefit from ocean acidification.
Coral reefs benefit from ocean acidification.
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What is the current approximate pH of the ocean?
What is the current approximate pH of the ocean?
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The two forms of calcium carbonate mentioned are _______ and _______.
The two forms of calcium carbonate mentioned are _______ and _______.
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Which factor has a major local effect on ocean acidification?
Which factor has a major local effect on ocean acidification?
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Match the following forms of calcium carbonate with their characteristics:
Match the following forms of calcium carbonate with their characteristics:
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Ocean acidification refers to the ocean becoming acidic with a pH less than 7.0.
Ocean acidification refers to the ocean becoming acidic with a pH less than 7.0.
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What is the impact of acid rain on ocean chemistry?
What is the impact of acid rain on ocean chemistry?
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What process leads to a decrease in seawater oxygen levels during eutrophication?
What process leads to a decrease in seawater oxygen levels during eutrophication?
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Ocean acidification decreases the availability of carbonate ions.
Ocean acidification decreases the availability of carbonate ions.
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What are the products formed when CO₂ reacts with seawater?
What are the products formed when CO₂ reacts with seawater?
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The saturation horizon is the level below which calcium carbonate minerals undergo _____ .
The saturation horizon is the level below which calcium carbonate minerals undergo _____ .
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Match the terms with their corresponding effects:
Match the terms with their corresponding effects:
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Which of the following is NOT a suggested mitigation strategy for ocean acidification?
Which of the following is NOT a suggested mitigation strategy for ocean acidification?
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Name one marine organism mentioned that relies on carbonate ions for calcification.
Name one marine organism mentioned that relies on carbonate ions for calcification.
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Surface waters are under saturated with carbonate ions.
Surface waters are under saturated with carbonate ions.
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What happens to calcifying organisms due to ocean acidification?
What happens to calcifying organisms due to ocean acidification?
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The saturation horizon for aragonite is found at a greater ocean depth than that for calcite.
The saturation horizon for aragonite is found at a greater ocean depth than that for calcite.
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What is the primary natural source of CO₂ on Earth?
What is the primary natural source of CO₂ on Earth?
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The depth at which dissolution strongly increases in the deep ocean is known as the ______.
The depth at which dissolution strongly increases in the deep ocean is known as the ______.
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How does upwelling affect coastal regions?
How does upwelling affect coastal regions?
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Rock weathering can quickly reduce the anthropogenic input of CO₂ to the atmosphere.
Rock weathering can quickly reduce the anthropogenic input of CO₂ to the atmosphere.
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What do the upper layers of the ocean tend to be supersaturated with?
What do the upper layers of the ocean tend to be supersaturated with?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Study Notes
Ocean Acidification
- Oceans absorb a significant amount of CO₂, acting as a buffer against climate change.
- Ocean acidification is a decrease in ocean pH (increase in hydrogen ions) due to CO₂ uptake from the atmosphere.
- This leads to a decrease in carbonate ions and less alkalinity.
- The uptake of atmospheric CO₂ is exceeding the ocean's natural buffering capacity.
- Ocean pH has decreased by 0.1 units since the industrial revolution.
- Current ocean pH is around 8.0, remaining basic but susceptible to further decrease.
Forms of Calcium Carbonate
- Calcite and aragonite are two forms of calcium carbonate.
- Calcite is a relatively less soluble form, found in some shells, corals, and mollusks (oysters).
- Aragonite is a more soluble form, present in most corals, mollusks, and some algae.
CO₂ Effect on Ocean Acidification
- The increasing uptake of atmospheric CO₂ causes an increase in hydrogen ions.
- This decrease in carbonate ions and the resulting decrease in alkalinity are known as ocean acidification.
Other Factors Influencing Ocean Acidification
- Acid Rain: Has a pH between 1 and 6, impacting local ocean chemistry, but has a minimal global effect.
- Eutrophication: Excess nutrients (mostly nitrogen) from agriculture, fertilizers, and sewage lead to plankton blooms. Decomposition of these blooms consumes oxygen and increases CO₂, decreasing pH.
Ocean Acidification Effects
- Coral reefs struggle to grow in increasingly acidic waters.
- Reduced plankton production affects fisheries.
- Shells and skeletons of marine organisms are compromised due to reduced carbonate ion availability for calcification.
Ocean Acidification and Calcification
- Seawater absorbs CO₂, creating carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions.
- Carbonate ions are crucial for calcification (shell and skeleton formation) in many marine organisms.
- Increased CO₂ lowers carbonate ion concentration, which hinders calcification.
Mitigation Strategies
- Reduce CO₂ emissions.
- Promote energy efficiency and alternative energy sources (wind & solar).
- Eliminate offshore drilling.
- Implement government policies to cap CO₂ emissions.
Saturation Horizons
- The saturation horizon is the depth at which calcium carbonate is under-saturated.
- Ocean acidification raises this horizon, leading more marine organisms facing conditions where their shells/skeletons dissolve.
Ocean Acidification and Long-Term Carbon Fate
- Over long timescales, a natural balance exists between CO₂ uptake and release at Earth's surface.
- Processes like rock weathering and organic matter production help regulate this balance.
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Description
Explore the impact of ocean acidification on marine life and the chemistry of calcium carbonate. Understand how increased CO₂ affects ocean pH and the forms of calcium carbonate present in different organisms. This quiz addresses key concepts crucial for grasping environmental science and marine biology.
