En-en adult card 24 ocean acidification

Card #24: Ocean Acidification

Causes		Consequences
Carbon Sinks		Hindered calcification process

When CO₂ dissolves into the ocean, it turns into acid ions (H₂CO₃ and HCO₃^–).
The effect of this transformation is ocean acidification (the pH decreases).

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.

Facilitation advice

Frequently mentioned link

The card Concentration of CO₂ (ppm) is often identified 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.