What is Ocean Acidification?

Ocean Acidification, What's that?

Since the onset of the industrial revolution, fundamental changes have affected the chemistry of world’s oceans. Thanks to the activities of mankind in the industrial and agricultural industries, great amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere yearly. As the level of carbon dioxide released increases, the ocean level also increases (rises) as well. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide released is also absorbed by the ocean, leading to the chemical elements in the oceans to change, known as ocean acidification.  

From the smallest creatures to the largest creatures in the marine ecosystem, ocean acidification is inevitable. Ocean acidification has a negative impact on the marine ecosystem, especially its impact on shelled organisms. Since a large portion of the marine food web relies on these shelled organisms, the entire food web is also put at a risk. This risk not only affects marine species, but affects humans as well. Scientists today are trying to find ways to combat and slow down the rate of ocean acidification. Due to the wide spread of causes leading to ocean acidification, solutions to prevent this environmental problem is difficult to impose.