Chris B. Wall, Ph.D.
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Ocean acidification learning resources

4/18/2017

79 Comments

 
Ocean acidification (OA) may be one of the most challenging things to communicate to the public. In principle, OA is quite simple--the ocean becomes acidic as more carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in seawater. However, chemistry is not always a strong suit for everyone, and the more complicated aspects of carbonate chemistry in seawater can be lost on even the most scientifically minded lay person. (Don't worry--Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is here to help!)  I've been looking around for helpful resources that explain OA to the public--some are videos, some are blogs-- but in each case they provide a different take on exactly what OA is. Perhaps more important, they discuss OA effects on different ecosystems and livelihoods. Click the images, videos, or embedded URLs to dive into some of the science and hot topics in OA research

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As a coral biologist, I'm concerned with how amore acidic ocean will lead to the dissolution of coral reef architecture--the coral and the myriad of calcifying invertebrates that reside on reefs, as well as the sand and limestone that form the foundation of reefs. However, a more acidic sea can also reduce the SPEED at which calcified organism build their skeletons. This is because, like all things, we are at a constant fight against degradation, breakdown, entropy. As an animal builds its skeleton it is also slowly losing parts of its skeleton to processes of erosion--some biological (boring animals like sponges and gastropods), others physical (wave action, abrasion, breaking off). So, in order for animals and reefs to GROW, there must be a positive balance where growth (accretion) exceeds loss (erosion). Therefore, OA reducing this positive balance reduces the net calcified growth of an organism and in essence, they may be smaller for longer and not build skeletons as quickly. Finally, once the animal is dead and ceases to grow all together, more acidic conditions can lead to fast dissolution of the calcified material all together.  

Watch the education video (left) to learn more about what ocean acidification is. On the right, you can watch a TED Talk by Dr. Rob Dunbar on the threat of OA and the challenge we must confront as we address rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (leading to warming) and in the ocean (causing seawater acidification).


Changing ocean chemistry can affect coral reefs, but it can also affect commercial crops like mussels, oysters, and clams. Many *human* coastal communities across the world depend on resources from the sea. Decreases in yield or quality of products (smaller oysters, let's say) will hurt these communities, and therefore OA is not solely a tropical reef problem, but a global problem with implications at virtually every scale of marine life. 


Finally, I saw this blog this week from Rice University describing ocean acidification (OA). It is pretty nice, showing both the chemical basis of OA and some of the impacts OA can have on biological organisms.
When Air Meets Water: Carbon Dioxide And Ocean Acidification

For those wanting to get more information, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a worldwide authority. You can view real data from ocean monitoring stations and learn everything about OA from chemistry to biological and socio-economic impacts of OA
Learn about Ocean Acidification and OA research at NOAA and the NOAA PMEL Carbon Program
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79 Comments
Dylan link
12/10/2018 06:22:13 am

What can i do to help?

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Sarah Day link
12/10/2018 06:22:31 am

Will ocean acidificiation be affected if the ozone layer dissolves from human activity? If so, what would most likely happen to the ocean as a whole?

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Zachary Gossman
12/10/2018 06:22:51 am

Ocean acidification is a dangerous topic and I hope that we can start doing our parts to work on dealing with the danger of Ocean Acidification.

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Scottland
12/10/2018 06:22:58 am

Could ocean acidifacation kill our oceans completely?

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Hunter Gibbs link
12/10/2018 06:23:08 am

How long do we have until it is to late?

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Tyler Verner
12/10/2018 06:23:22 am

In 50 years, will ocean acidification be one of the biggest topics in the world?

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Gwenyth Carter link
12/10/2018 06:23:29 am

I believe that ocean acidification is a huge issue right now and I was wondering, what are the ways people can help or prevent this problem.

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Alexa Arzillo link
12/10/2018 06:23:37 am

Burning fossil flues- ocean has absorbed more then half co2
sea creatures- shells getting weaker( hydrogen ions weaken them)
which means we may someday run out of food and theirs already country's that dont have a balanced meals and we dont need to add to that.

The prospect of ocean acidification is potentially the most serious of all predicted...



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Darius
12/10/2018 06:23:50 am

although it is unlikely, if everybody in the world got on the same page and stopped burning immense amounts of fossil fuels as a whole, approximately how long would it take for the oceans acidic levels to lower to where they need to be ?

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Ian P. Brennan link
12/10/2018 06:24:17 am

The only way to get ride of ocean acidification fast is if we stop burning so many fossil fuels. This will help the oceans greatly and in the end help many human and sea life in the future.

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Joseph Valencia link
12/10/2018 06:24:23 am

What if we just cleaned up the ocean for free like everyone worked together and no one charged anyone for the cleanup process. Were so quick to make a quick buck, why can't we just save our planet for the better?

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Hope Vanacore
12/10/2018 06:25:25 am

Cant sea life adapt since the oceans were more acidic in the past?

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Danaja Clark link
12/10/2018 06:26:14 am

I agree with the two videos we are the main causes for how acid the oceans are and they are going to be to much for anyone to handle, In a couple more decades ocean life will be killed of lick prehistoric animals

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Jason Wendt
12/10/2018 06:28:40 am

It was mentioned very much how shelled organisms are heavily affected by the increase in CO2 causing it to be harder to build their shells, but what about organisms that aren't shelled and don't rely on the shelled organisms? Will these organisms be affected at all?

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Logan Spotanski
12/10/2018 07:46:18 am

We need to fix the problem that we have created. How do we teach the younger generations that will allow the thing taught to stick?

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Erika Cadena
12/10/2018 07:48:46 am

What can I do to help? I believe in the videos shown, we are to blame.

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Brandy Flowers
12/10/2018 07:51:09 am

If we stopped burning fossil fuels then there would be a decrease in carbon dioxide in the air, and other aerosols. The man made causes are just simply making the planet warm up faster than the natural gases would. We should do something to improve the life of our planet.

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Isabella Fox
12/10/2018 07:51:16 am

With the ocean becoming more acidic the animals don't have the right skills to adapt to the rising temperature.Both videos are right that we have the biggest impact on the high release of co2.

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ian Hooper
12/10/2018 08:05:48 am

Is there anyway that we know of now how to bring carbon level down in the ocean?

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Liz Carrier
12/10/2018 08:06:24 am

What percent of the CO2 dissolved in the oceans is from natural emissions, and what is from humans?

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Anna
12/10/2018 08:06:24 am

In order to keep our ocean clean and healthy we have to limit the amount of CO2 that is going into the ocean.

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Jontre Jaemon
12/10/2018 08:06:28 am

Is there any easy ways that you can reduce acidification at your home?

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Matthew Sheppard
12/10/2018 08:06:44 am

Why do we even have to burn fossil fuels though?

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Emely R
12/10/2018 08:07:33 am

How about the other organisms in the ocean, how are they going to be affected.

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Kali Neydon
12/10/2018 08:08:16 am

How can an individual help ocean acidification or get involved?

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Shirlin
12/10/2018 08:08:55 am

If we stop burning fossils fuels, then the CO2 in our atmosphere will decrease, but the burning of fossils fuels cannot be stopped completely. It takes time, just like how animals take time to adapt.

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Reki
12/10/2018 08:09:12 am

Why did we start thinking about ocean now? Why is it so late

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alexis ridgway
12/10/2018 10:22:13 am

is there a way to take some of the carbon dioxide out of the ocean ?

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kevin ross
12/10/2018 10:22:20 am

it was mentioned very much how shelled organisms are heavily affected by the increase in CO2 causing it to be harder to build their shells, but what about organisms that aren't shelled. The prospect of ocean acidification is potentially the most serious of all predicted...

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Connor
12/10/2018 10:22:43 am

CO2 levels are the highest in recorded history, the effects are still unknown and nobody is sure about what will happen.

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Zaine Luppino
12/10/2018 10:23:47 am

The ocean absorbs a very large amount of c02 and it has very bad effects to multiple things. People are very worried about the c02 going into the atmosphere, but they should be worried about the c02 going into the ocean. If we want to save the ocean we need to stop the c02 emissions.

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Zion Bradley link
12/10/2018 10:24:11 am

I think that ocean acidification is a serious problem that should be addressed. due to it being a food source for 1/7 of the worlds population. If we don't slow down Co2 production the ocean will die out very fast.

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nick gladding
12/10/2018 10:24:44 am

How can we reverse the affects of ocean acidification?

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Ethan
12/10/2018 10:24:55 am

I learned that ocean acidification is something very serious and needs to be taken care of asap. If it is not taken care of then animals will die off and we will run out of food to eat.

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april fleming link
12/10/2018 10:25:30 am

i think the ocean needs to be cleaned out and that people need to stop burning things so it will stop effecting the ocean and so the clams and oysters shells will be strong and health

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Henry Graycochea
12/10/2018 10:26:07 am

How can we stop Ocean Acidification

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Elizabeth Barton
12/10/2018 10:26:28 am

With the ocean getting so acidic, the poor sea life cannot adapt fast enough therefore we need to fix this problem as quick as possible so our ocean doesn't die out. What is the fastest way possible to reduce ocean acidification?

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Daniel Meyer
12/10/2018 10:27:25 am

How long does it take for the acidification of the ocean to kill all of the animals that depend on other organisms?

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Xavier Adams
12/10/2018 10:27:40 am

I did not realize that carbon dioxide was doing more than just heating up the Earth. Through this essay, I have learned even more about the dangers of relying on fossil fuels. My question: which areas of the oceans have more acidic waters?

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Allyson Centeno
12/10/2018 10:27:58 am

i have learned that ocean acidification will destroy our oceans ecosystem in a couple of years if we don't do anything about it, it will also disturb the food chain and kill our coral reefs.

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Donald Hart link
12/10/2018 10:46:57 am

My oceanography classes having been researching ocean acidification in conjunction with units on chemical and environmental oceanography. Outreach programs to Oceanography and Marine Science Classes would be beneficial to these classes. Thanks

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taneyah
12/11/2018 04:58:39 am

CO2 causes the earth to warm up.

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Sierra Goulette link
12/11/2018 04:59:29 am

More CO2 dissolves in the ocean make the ocean more acidic which results in crabs, clams, oysters and many other organisms are affects and these rapid changes are affecting them very harshly

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Tyler wolfe
12/11/2018 04:59:43 am

how can ocean acidification come to an end

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Divad link
12/11/2018 04:59:57 am

How can I stop this?

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Jason Coleman link
12/11/2018 05:00:10 am

how long before we know its too late?

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Zariya Dickens link
12/11/2018 05:00:19 am

I learned about if we don't do something about the ocean acidification,then the carbon dioxide will destroy the animals, and the shells will break apart.

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Olivia Nichols
12/11/2018 05:00:53 am

With these videos i have learned that ocean acidification is destroying our oceans. We should try and figure out how we can reverse the effects of ocean acidification. What are some things we can do to stop it?

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De Ella z Jones link
12/11/2018 05:01:13 am

I never realized how much of an affect that humans had on other organisms let alone our ocean. My question would be what is the solution to this problem and is it to late to salvage the marine life and ocean that we do have like is the damage completely irreversible

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Jeraelou Frost link
12/11/2018 05:01:29 am

There are solutions for ocean acidification; local, state, and federal regulations,education of ocean acidification to the people, geo-engineering, regulations on factories and those produce fossil fuels, reducing one’s carbon footprint, reduce energy use, reduce electric usage, support environmentally friendly initiatives, buy and eat fish that were harvested humanely. In addition, individuals can also help by being mindful of our pollution rate; walking, riding a bike, or utilize public transportation; eat humanely source food; use less water; recycle; plant and maintain trees and rely less coal and fossil fuels.

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Ashley Navarrette link
12/11/2018 05:01:51 am

What are some ways we ourselves could work on reducing our carbon footprint and what is being done today to help reverse or stall the effects of climate change and Ocean Acidification?

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Tywayne link
12/11/2018 05:01:55 am

When co2 dissolves in seawater it forms carbonic acid making the shellls of the organisms in the water weaker

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Queen Haggie link
12/11/2018 05:03:14 am

What can we do to stop all the toxins that go in the ocean water? How can we stop the sea lifes shells from decaying?

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Karolina Kmita
12/11/2018 05:03:21 am

Ocean acidification is a very serious issue and I hope we will take care of our oceans. The thing that worries me the most is the coral reef - it's devastating to see it dying and disappearing, not to mention it attracts many tourists and tourists bring more money to the world' economy. People have to realize how important seas and oceans are!

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Shannell Morales
12/11/2018 05:04:56 am

I know that many animals will either be reduces in population or die off completely but, at the current rate we are at now, is it possible that we could bring any marine life to extinction because of ocean acidification?

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Kenzie Griffiths link
12/11/2018 05:06:15 am

The oceans are becoming more acidic. The amount of CO2 in our atmosphere is crazy

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Chase Renshaw link
12/11/2018 05:06:19 am

how can i help and know how to help

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Dequane Richardson link
12/11/2018 05:07:31 am

A direct effect on marine life, carbonate produces a dissolution of shells and decreased biodiversity.

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Kiley Welsh
12/11/2018 06:10:13 am

what are some other ways that the release of CO2 can be limited or stopped?

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Dustyn Gauntt
12/11/2018 06:19:03 am

What major events have occurred that will finally get others to understand the serious dangers that the oceans are facing? Once we gain attention for this cause, what can we do to help prevent any further damaging? Is it possible to bring the C02 levels back to normal? We need more environmental protection jobs so that there are careers dedicated to preserving our planet with extensive research and gives incentive to help.

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Kayla Faircloth link
12/11/2018 06:31:07 am

How much longer do our oceans have? What can I do to help?

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Katrina Tefft link
12/11/2018 06:31:55 am

What can we do to stop it?

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Dylan Brown link
12/11/2018 06:32:58 am

How fast can we get the CO2 ppm back to 350 ppm and how can we do it?

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Anthony link
12/11/2018 06:33:08 am

I never really liked seafood but I guess the the fishes dying or pretty bad for everyone else #nomoreCO2

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haleigh chapman link
12/11/2018 06:33:47 am

how can we slow down the effects of ocean acidification?

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Chandler Osborne link
12/11/2018 06:34:37 am

I definitely agree with the ted talk speaker on the fact the we need to stop co2 release in the ocean as soon as possible.

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Malia Chissler link
12/11/2018 06:34:41 am

How can we slow down ocean acidification or help our sea life adapt without causing more harm or damage?

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Emily Melendez link
12/11/2018 06:35:30 am

We are adding so much CO2 to the ocean that it is ruining marine organisms ability to reproduce.

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Anna-Marie Trute link
12/11/2018 06:35:49 am

Ocean acidification is a big problem today. What are ways we can stop it from getting worse?

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Cole Foster link
12/11/2018 06:35:52 am

When will ocean acidification start to have a noticeable effect on humans?

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Eva-Rose link
12/11/2018 06:36:05 am

Ocean acidification is getting worse and people need to make changes because CO2 is taking over the atmosphere.

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Victoria Guerrero link
12/11/2018 06:36:58 am

Ocean acidification has a direct effect on marine biodiversity and is breaking down many major species(corals, clams, crabs, etc.) that are the bases of food chains.

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Kevin McCabe link
12/11/2018 06:38:21 am

What can the average person do to help with ocean acidification?

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Owen Lowie link
12/11/2018 06:38:24 am

What can we do to stop it?

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Clarence King link
12/11/2018 06:40:39 am

Why does the ocean have so many problems with it if its just water?

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Nick Teresi
12/11/2018 06:40:50 am

What can I do to help stop the oceans from becoming more acidic than they are?

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Sydney Keene link
12/11/2018 06:41:15 am

The biggest factor in helping to stop or slow down ocean acidification is if we decrease the amount of fossil fuels we burn. This will allow more shell-bearing oceanic organisms to have access to more calcium carbonates, eventually helping us humans in the long run.

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Khalell M link
12/11/2018 10:31:43 am

The oceans has been absorbing majority of the Co2 that we produce over the years and this is increasing the acidity of the ocean. Is there a way that we can add a solution to the water to reduce and/or protect it?

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ZLD SYSTEM link
3/17/2023 07:27:21 am

Conventionally, this discharge of wastewater is done via a plant outfall to a surface water body like an evaporation pond, or in some cases deep well injected.

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    About the author

    I am a Ph.D. student studying the physiological ecology of reef corals at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. I have a passion for the ocean and marine conservation. I surf, bonsai, and prefer my music  riff-heavy and on wax.
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