Ocean Acidification Ocean acidification has been called the | Upsc Environment

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification has been called the “evil twin of global warming” and “the other CO2 problem”.

Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth’s oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

An estimated 30–40% of the carbon dioxide from human activity released into the atmosphere dissolves into oceans, rivers and lakes.

To achieve chemical equilibrium, some of it reacts with the water to form carbonic acid.

Some of these extra carbonic acid molecules react with a water molecule to give a bicarbonate ion and a hydronium ion, thus increasing ocean acidity (H+ ion concentration).

Checking CO and CO2 emissions and controlling pollution are the only means to reduce ocean acidification.