Ocean Acidification Issues

Once the ocean learns to speak, it is when mankind will finally listen. However, when humans continue to suffocate the ocean’s surface with carbon, it’s hard for this enormous body to scream for help. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions are a major contributor to acidifying ocean waters. Ocean acidification is a critical issue because it contaminates ocean water, endangers marine life, and puts seafood industries at risk. Fisherman say “the ocean will provide”, and it’s true. Although, that day will come when the ocean will no longer give us the fish of life, but rather leave our society in a shipwreck.

The ocean is like a sponge. It will absorb anything that comes in contact with its surface and has the ability to release immense amounts

The carbonic acid not only lowers the ocean’s pH level, but dissolves essential minerals (UXL Encyclopedia of Science), impairs sensory abilities of marine mammals (NOAA, 2018), and promotes the growth of poisonous algae (WHOI, 2018). Carbonic acid dissolves a mineral called calcium carbonate. Oysters and clams use this mineral to form their hard protective shells, but since this substance is soluble in the carbonic acid, these calcifying organisms fail to construct their shells and skeletons. However, this is not the only consequence. This acid impairs sensory abilities that some marine animals have. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “Recent studies have shown that decreased pH levels affect the ability of larval clownfish to locate suitable habitat” (2016). Therefore, impairing the chemosensory ability to distinguish a predator from their own species (NOAA,2016). Furthermore, the decrease of oxygen in ocean water will cause poisonous algal species to flourish (WHOI, 2018). Algal blooms will “reduce light availability, which often leads to losses in submerged aquatic vegetation which are important nursery habitats for many finfish and shellfish species” according to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2018). Given these points, aquatic life has negatively

More than 2.6 billion people rely on seafood as their primary source of protein and provides 1.7 million job opportunities worldwide (Dr. Kathryn Sullivan,2018). However, when the ocean can no longer provide of what we ask for, seafood industries will start to decline in sales. According to a 2012 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 1 billion people relied on fish. Acidifying the ocean not only harms the life in water, but harms the life on land. Coastal communities that depend on seafood will need to find solutions to secure uncontaminated seafood without the risk of getting sick. Also, oyster farmers and aquaculture fisheries will need to initiate adaptation strategies to grow their meat in a safe and cost-effective way without ruining the distinctive taste of their product. Although this is true, food is not the only thing the ocean provides us. Recreational businesses such as diving, surfing, and wildlife viewing are also affected. Reef touring and wildlife viewing demand clear waters and abundant aquatic life in order to give the best tours (WHOI, 2018). Unfortunately, when humans continually release carbon dioxide into the air, coral reefs are not able to rebuild themselves fast enough from erosion. As a result, these businesses will not be able to offer the utmost breathtaking tours, but rather the sight of dead coral and bleached ocean