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Ocean Acidification Affecting Marine Life

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What is ocean acidification?
According to PMEL, the process of ocean acidification is when “the CO2 absorbed by the ocean is changing the chemistry of the seawater”. Ocean Portal states that “Ocean acidification is sometimes called “climate change’s equally evil twin”. People don’t realize that this is a significant problem because we don’t see or feel the effects due to the process happening underwater. Sadly, this issue is far more problematic than scientists thought years ago.

In what ways does ocean acidification affect marine life?
According to Ocean Portal, “in the past 200 years alone, ocean water has become 30 percent more acidic”. The rapid growth of acidity within the oceans is dramatically impacting ecosystems- even the shells of animals are disintegrating in the acid contaminated seawater.

Why is the ocean and its ecosystem such an important natural resource?
The ocean and its ecosystem is such an important natural resource because of numerous reasons. Not only do people rely on the ocean for food supply, but also for finding new medicines. One of the most …show more content…

How did it develop into the problem it is today?
Everyone knows that the burning of fossil fuels assembles together in the atmosphere to cause what is known as global warming. But what people don’t know is that it is also affecting the oceans. According to the NRDC, “Since the start of the Industrial Revolution about 150 years ago, approximately one-quarter to one-third of all CO2 from fossil fuels- or 500 billion tons- has been absorbed by the seas, increasing the average acidity by 30 percent”. To give a mental image, the NRDC continues to say that, “that’s the equivalent in weight of 500 billion Volkswagen Beetles dumped at sea”. It is obvious that people have a huge part in the amount of carbon being released. If we do not figure out how to slow down the rate we are at now with burning fossil fuels, the average ocean acidity will continue to increase

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