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Ocean acidification is now on a path to reach lower pH levels than at any other point in the last 300 million years. [82] [73] The rate of ocean acidification (i.e. the rate of change in pH value) is also estimated to be unprecedented over that same time scale. [83] [14] These expected changes are considered unprecedented in the geological record.
On land most phosphorus is found in rocks and minerals. Phosphorus-rich deposits have generally formed in the ocean or from guano, and over time, geologic processes bring ocean sediments to land. Weathering of rocks and minerals release phosphorus in a soluble form where it is taken up by plants, and it is transformed into organic compounds.
During this reaction, carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid. The carbonic acid then dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. [3] This reaction causes the pH of the water to lower, effectively acidifying it. [3] Ocean acidification is occurring in every ocean across the world.
Ocean acidification makes it harder for organisms to reproduce affecting the ecosystem in the Great Barrier Reef. Species of fish can be affected immensely from ocean acidification which disrupts the overall ecosystem. There is a possible solution that can reverse the affects of ocean acidification called alkalization injection.
Ocean acidification, which is also caused by increasing carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, will increase such dissolution and shallow the carbonate compensation depth on timescales of tens to hundreds of years.
In the ocean, wave and wind movement allows carbon dioxide (CO 2) to mixes with water (H 2 O) forming carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3). Through wave motion this chemical bond is mixed up, allowing for the further break of the bond, eventually becoming carbonate (CO 3) which is basic and helps form shells for ocean creatures, and two hydron molecules.
For example, Charon’s collision with Pluto would have raised the temperature of the the dwarf planet’s ice shell, which may have caused it to melt and form a subsurface ocean.
There are several other factors that influence the atmosphere-ocean CO 2 exchange, and thus local ocean acidification. These include ocean currents and upwelling zones, proximity to large continental rivers, sea ice coverage, and atmospheric exchange with nitrogen and sulfur from fossil fuel burning and agriculture. [35] [36] [37]