Ocean acidification is the other half of the carbon story. The ocean absorbs about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide released into the air, according to NOAA, and that changes the chemistry of seawater.
How it works
When carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which makes the water more acidic, NOAA explains.
Surface ocean pH has dropped by about 0.1 units since the Industrial Revolution, which NOAA says is roughly a 30 percent increase in acidity.
Who feels it
More acidic water has fewer carbonate ions, which makes it harder for oysters, corals and other shell builders to form shells and skeletons.
Get the Eco Business News newsletter. Free.
Plain news on eco, business and data centers. No spam.
A helpful sink, with a cost
A NOAA-led study estimated the ocean absorbs about 31 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. That slows warming on land, but it is not free for marine life.
The fine print
The 30 percent more acidic figure comes from how the pH scale works. It does not mean the pH changed by 30 units.
Why it matters
Healthy oceans feed people and protect coastlines. Cutting carbon dioxide protects both the air and the sea.
Try it yourself
Want a new eco fact every day? Try the Daily Eco Question, a free one question quiz that builds your day streak.
Tell us what you are building and what changed. Our newsroom reads every submission.
Submit your companySources: NOAA ocean acidification, NOAA NCEI ocean carbon sink.
Key takeaways on ocean acidification
Here is the short version on ocean acidification. When carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which makes the water more acidic, NOAA explains. Surface ocean pH has dropped by about 0. More acidic water has fewer carbonate ions, which makes it harder for oysters, corals and other shell builders to form shells and skeletons. A NOAA-led study estimated the ocean absorbs about 31 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The 30 percent more acidic figure comes from how the pH scale works. Healthy oceans feed people and protect coastlines. Want a new eco fact every day? Sources: NOAA ocean acidification, NOAA NCEI ocean carbon sink.
Use these points on ocean acidification as a starting point, check the numbers against your own home or business, and share what you learn with someone who can use it.
