CO2 Creates an Acidic Ocean

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The increase of carbon dioxide emissions in the air has not only warmed up the planet by blocking escaping sunlight, it now pollutes the oceans as well. Excess carbon dioxide in the air combines with Earth’s water to form carbonic acid. While the ocean is a base, introducing an acid will reduce its ph level. For 300 million years the pH level of the ocean has averaged to 8.2, has now been brought down to 8.1.

Coal began the industrial revolution in the late 1700s where steam engine was introduced opening up possibilities of creating goods through machinery at a cheaper price rather than hand. Currently together with oil as a fossil fuel represent 60% of the worlds energy supply. The problem with coal is that it produces more CO2 than natural gas or oil. Coal also occasionally contains contaminants such as sulfur and mercury, when burned increases the chance of acid rain.

Scientists used to think that the ocean as a carbon storehouse resulted in no harm for the ocean until recent studies. The increased acidity of the ocean can disturb creatures that use calcification for their shells and structure like oysters, clams, coral and crustaceans, causing their calcification to either halt or reverse/dissolve. The death of many sea creatures could destroy the food chain. The increase in carbon could also change the way sound travels through water, causing fish to not notice their predators.

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The downsides make global warming and CO2 a bigger problem that should be resolved as soon as possible. While solar power is still costly, switching to nuclear might be the better option as it is now safer. Many cars are now electric ensuring less use of oil. But what is more important is to understand global warming so that you can prevent it.

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/co2-101-why-is-carbon-dioxide-bad

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues-ocean-acidification/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_energy_consumption

http://www.industrialrevolutionresearch.com/how_industrial_revolution_started.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_acidification

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_bleaching

http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F