Ocean Acidification Climate Change s Equally Evil Twin

Ocean acidification is sometimes called â€Å"climate change’s equally evil twin.† It s a significant and harmful consequence of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that we don t see or feel because its effects are happening underwater. At least one-quarter of the carbon dioxide released by burning coal, oil and gas doesn t stay in the air, but instead dissolves into the ocean. Since the beginning of the industrial era, the ocean has absorbed some 525 billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, presently around 22 million tons per day. Ocean acidification (OA) is the name for the process of the oceans becoming more acidic due to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This change threatens ocean ecosystems, the food chain and the livelihood of coastal residents. Human activities produce excessive carbon dioxide and much of it is absorbed by the oceans, where it is converted to an acid. When Co2 is absorbed by the ocean water it breaks down to form a chemi cal reaction which makes carbonic acid. When you have carbonic acid in the water a couple of things happen. Each carbonic acid molecule can release one of its hydrogen ions to make bicarbonate. The bicarbonate molecule can further break down to make a carbonate ion. The big issue here is you get both of these molecules bicarbonate and carbonate by losing hydrogen ions which are now sitting around freely in the water. The hydrogen ions increase the acidity of the water. The addition of CO2 sets up a