En-en adult card 24 ocean acidification

Card #24: Ocean Acidification

When CO₂ dissolves in the ocean, it turns into acid ions (H₂CO₃ and HCO_3-). This makes the oceans more acidic and the pH drops.

Explanation

Ocean acidification is sometimes referred to as "the other carbon problem". It is not strictly speaking a consequence of climate change, but another consequence of CO₂ emissions.

Correction

Causes

• Carbon Sinks

Consequences

• Calcification Difficulties

Wrong links

Wrong causes

The card Concentration of CO₂ (ppm) is often identified by players as the precursor of this card. However, not every molecule that is found in the ocean was previously in the atmosphere, and therefore the most logical link is with the carbon sinks card.