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Why Are Oceans Becoming More Acidic?

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1.) Why are oceans becoming more acidic?

When carbon dioxide enters the ocean, it is either absorbed by marine life through photosynthesis or joins with water molecules to become carbonic acid. This acid then dissolves into H+ and HCO3. An increase in in H+ increases the acidity of the water. By releasing high amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, more carbon dioxide is entering the oceans and creating H+ molecules, hence making the oceans more acidic.

2.) What is a “carbon sink”? Only half of carbon emissions stay in the atmosphere – where do the rest go?

A carbon sink is an area of the environment where carbon can be stored. Since we are releasing more carbon into our immediate environment
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