30% of the total carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans of the Earth. With the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, the absorption of the same by the ocean also increases. This causes a chemical reaction in the ocean, which leads to an increased concentration of hydrogen ions.
To put it precisely, when the carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean, it causes water and carbon dioxide to combine, resulting in the formation of carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). Carbonic acid is a weak acid that dissociates into hydrogen ions (Hᐩ) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃).
As a consequence, the pH level of the ocean has gone down. On a pH scale of 0 to 14, 7 is considered a neutral pH. Something with a higher pH than 7 is basic or alkaline, and something with a lower pH than 7 is acidic. The current pH level of ocean water is 8.1 which has gone down by 1 unit over the years.
With the increasing absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean, it is likely that its pH level will touch a new low, thus making the ocean more acidic in nature.
It is anthropogenic activities that are the prime factor behind ocean acidification. From the industrial revolution until now, the carbon cycle of the ocean has been heavily disrupted, and the following are the root causes behind such disturbances:
The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas is one of the major ocean acidification causes. In modern society, fossil fuels are used for various purposes, such as operating industries, heating homes, and running vehicles. As a matter of fact, 80% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels, which are responsible for about 90% of carbon emissions globally, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas is one of the major ocean acidification causes. In modern society, fossil fuels are used for various purposes, such as operating industries, heating homes, and running vehicles. As a matter of fact, 80% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels, which are responsible for about 90% of carbon emissions globally, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Due to the increased acidity of the ocean, the ocean chemistry experiences massive changes that adversely affect not just aquatic beings but also the human population.
Deforestation destroys natural habitats, endangering wildlife species.
Since climate change and ocean acidification are correlated, the following are the major ways to take into account in order to control climate change as well as ocean acidification:
One of the important measures that could be taken to reduce ocean acidification is to control the emission of greenhouse gases. This will happen only when we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels or eliminate their use as a whole. A unanimous support by companies, governments, and sustainability experts to find alternative sources of energy or use renewable energy sources is crucial to completely mitigating GHG emissions. Until then, the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide will keep on increasing, thus making our oceans more acidic than ever.
Limiting the consumption of fossil fuels is not enough to reduce the carbon dioxide present in the air. Restoring or expanding the carbon sinks is essential to cutting out on atmospheric carbon dioxide. To make it possible, implementing activities like afforestation, revegetation, and reforestation, as well as sustainable forestry and agricultural practices, is a must. Apart from that, considering spending on technological carbon sinks or developing them is also another way to facilitate natural processes.
Overfishing is one of the many reasons for disruptions in the ocean’s balance, which further makes it challenging for the ocean to adapt to its varying acidity levels. For a healthy and thriving marine ecosystem, responsible fishing is a priority. Since the likes of shellfish and coral reefs are extremely sensitive to changes when the ocean is acidified, practicing sustainable fishing can facilitate preserving the population of such organisms.
The usage of fertilizers and pesticides for improving crop yields often ends up washing off fields during rain or irrigation. These washed-off nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, enter nearby water streams like lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. This nutrient runoff leads to nutrient pollution by contributing to the presence of toxic algae blooms. Once these algae die and decompose, they emit carbon dioxide into the water, which in turn raises the concentrations of carbonic acid, which further results in the reduction of the ocean’s pH level, thus aggravating ocean acidification.
The further increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide will determine the future of ocean acidification. If the carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean at the same pace as it is now, it is possible that the pH of seawater will drop another 120%, up to 7.8 or 7.7, by the time this century comes to an end. This will make the ocean acidic to such an extent that it has never been in the past 20 million years. It is worth noting that ocean acidification will not happen in a uniform way. It is expected that the polar seas and the upwelling areas, which are commonly located along the west coasts of continents, will experience faster acidification than tropical or temperate regions, and based on the ecosystem, the pH will differ considerably. Currently, in California, random corrosion activities have already begun to take place. Likewise, the water in a few parts of the Arctic is so acidic that it could corrode several different types of shells. In the coming decades, the majority of aquatic ecosystems will become persistently corrosive.
Although the key factor behind the acidification of the ocean is the elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the air, businesses play a huge role in contributing to the cause. Companies that rely on fossil fuels for their operations lead to greenhouse gas emissions, further resulting in increased absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean. Similarly, improper waste disposal and industrial activities that release pollutants into water bodies change the ocean chemistry, causing acidification. Here, Cognitud comes to the rescue, as we have highly knowledgeable and experienced sustainability consultants who can advise the businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Doing so can consequently mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions, which will further cease ocean acidification from taking place. Our sustainability experts will engage in carbon footprint assessment by identifying sources of GHG emissions and then devise a sustainability strategy accordingly, keeping the business requirements in mind. They will advocate engaging with policymakers to promote sustainable initiatives that help in the reduction of ocean acidification. All things considered, our team of professional consultants will offer extensive support and guidance throughout a business’s journey of reducing their carbon footprint. Even a small contribution towards minimizing carbon emissions within one’s own business operations can significantly help in the alleviation of ocean acidification.
Dr. Somnath Hazra
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Ocean acidification is the process by which oceans become more acidic due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. When CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which releases hydrogen ions and lowers the ocean’s pH level.
Ocean acidification is primarily caused by human activities that increase atmospheric CO₂ levels, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. As CO₂ emissions rise, oceans absorb more of it, disrupting their natural chemical balance.
Ocean acidification weakens the ability of marine organisms like corals, shellfish, and plankton to build shells and skeletons made of calcium carbonate. This leads to fragile coral reefs, reduced shellfish growth, and disrupted marine food chains, threatening overall ocean biodiversity.
Ocean acidification impacts humans by reducing seafood availability and nutritional quality, harming fisheries and coastal economies. It also increases health risks through contaminated seafood, such as bioaccumulation of harmful metals and toxins from acidified waters.
Preventing ocean acidification requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to renewable energy, restoring carbon sinks like forests, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and limiting nutrient pollution that worsens carbon buildup in oceans.
