TheDangersofOceanAcidification.pptVIP

The Dangers of Ocean Acidification Scientific American March 2006, pp 58-65 Scott C. Doney Question 1 Is the rate of CO2 appearing in the atm (Rin) equal to the rate of CO2 being removed from the atm (Rout) by plant uptake and deposition in the ocean? The assumption in 1950 was that Rin = Rout. Scientists set up CO2 monitors in Antarctica and Mauna Loa n 1958. Result: Rin Rout. Fig 16.8, 16.9 in text. Question 2 How much of the CO2 from fossil fuel burning has been deposited in the oceans? 1980-1990 studies mapped carbon concentrations worldwide. 2004 analysis of these data determined how much of total carbon is from fossil fuel burning. Result: 50% of fossil fuel carbon has been deposited in oceans. CO2 Chemistry Pristine oceans have pH = 8-8.3 CO2 + H2O ? H2CO3 carbonic acid (weak acid) H2CO3 ? H+ + HCO3- HCO3- ? H+ + CO32- 2000, pH of oceans was 0.1 pH units lower By 2100, it may be 0.3 pH units lower More Chemistry Shellfish, coral, phytoplankton need calcium carbonate for body building. There is competition for the carbonate ion (CO32-) between Ca2+ and H+ Ca2+ + CO32- ?? CaCO3 H+ + CO32- ?? HCO3- As H+ increases, the second rxn dominates, thus removing too much CO32-. Question 3 What is the effect of CO2 in the oceans? Some phytoplankton that live at the waters surface are covered with CaCO3 plates. If the oceans pH decreases, less carbonate ion will be available for plate building. These plankton are a major food source for fish and marine mammals. They are also important in converting sunlight to carbon containing molecules and oxygen. Question 3 Coral are actually algae or sea anemone-related species that filter plankton and secrete CaCO3 for structure. With reduced levels of the carbonate ion, less CaCO3 is available and less coral is produced. Deep sea coral reefs are important habitats for fish. In turn, fish are eaten by marine creatures higher on the food chain. Question 3 The colors characteristic of shallow water coral are due to