En-en adult card 24 ocean acidification
Card #24: Ocean Acidification
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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.