As discussed in class, the increase in atmospheric CO2 due to anthropogenic emis

Question

As discussed in class, the increase in atmospheric CO2 due to anthropogenic emissions will decrease the pH of the ocean (i.e., so-called “ocean acidification”). Data showing the relationship between increasing atmospheric CO2 (in ppm) and ocean pH is provided below for pre-industrial times, approximately present day (2006), and assuming a 2- and 3-fold increase over pre-industrial levels of CO2. (NSF, NOAA, USGS, 2006):

One potential consequence of this pH decrease is degradation of coral reefs and other marine calcifiers, which are species that excrete calcium carbonate (CaCO3; Ks = 10-8.34) to generate calcified structures required for their survival (Raven et al., 2005). Their production of CaCO3 depends on the available CO32- concentration, which in turn depends on dissolved CO2 (or H2CO3*) concentrations. Consider a portion of the ocean with a free calcium ion concentration of 1.45 mM (= 1.45 x 10-3 M). Based on the 2006 atmospheric concentration of CO2, will CaCO3 in a coral reef be at equilibrium with the surrounding solution, forming via precipitation, or dissolving? How does your answer change if you use the 2-fold increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration that some expect society to achieve by the year 2050?

Explanation / Answer

answer- yes it is fact that the increasing amount of carbon dioxide due to anthropogenic emmission will decrease the ph of the ocean and it has very adverse effect on the ocean biodiversity and also on the growth of coral colonies and also marine ecosystem. It also increase the global ocean temperature.

In above data the carbon dioxide concentration of preindustrial time and modern data (2016). is given and it is clearly shown that it cause degradation of coral reef and marine calcifiers.

the animal species that excreate calcium carbonate are

Sponges are the animal related to phylum porifera consist of internal skeleton composed of calcium carbonate and silicon dioxidee.

coral are also marine invertibrate belong to phyllum colentrata. they are generally contribute in building coral reef. they occur in colonies. they bear hard exoskeleton that secretes calcium carbonate.

the shells of gastopods, pelecepods and cephalopods is also composed of calcium carbonate. and they secretee calcium carbonate

foraminifera are smallest fine grain microfossil. they are benthic in nature. and they shells are composed of calcium carbonate.

Based on 2006 data of atmospheric concentration of CO2, calcium carbonate will not be in equlibrium state with the surrounding solution because of decrese in Ph of ocean due to increase amount of carbon dioxide generated by the anthropogenic emmision.

On increasing the double amount of cabon dioxide 560ppm this leads to more decrease in ph.

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