OCEAN ACIDIFICATION, A PROBLEM OR A SOLUTION TO CO2 EMISSIONS

Greetings dear and appreciated readers who make life in this prestigious platform, the topic that I will develop below is related to the side effects that has caused us the large-scale production of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂). One of the main consequences of this chemical is the acidification of the oceans.

It is a chemical process by which the pH of water decreases to an acidic point, as a result of the large amount of absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The absorption of CO₂ by water is of great help to the planet earth, since less of these gases reach the earth's crust and thus do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

The acidification or acidosis of the oceans is a serious problem that is affecting marine species, as it alters their ecosystem and the food chain, this takes place because the CO₂ found in the air dissolves in the water to give rise to Carbonic Acid (H₂CO₃), which affects the flora and fauna of the seas.

We are in a disjunctive dilemma when we think if the absorption of CO₂ in the ocean is a help for the conservation and preservation of the different species. However, it is an equally worrying situation, because this acidification has been increasing since the beginning of the industrial revolution, as a consequence of the large amount of CO₂ that is released into the environment during the development of its processes.

Global warming and ocean acidification are two very similar phenomena, known in this field as twin brothers, since both threaten terrestrial life and are caused by CO₂. However, it is important to note that global warming is produced by a set of greenhouse gases, which generate a progressive increase in the temperature of the earth's surface causing glaciers to melt, while acidification is caused only by the dissolution of CO₂ found in the air into the water of the oceans.

Even though ocean acidification is an environmental problem that seriously affects biodiversity, ecosystem and reproduction of marine species, it is not being considered as a priority by the competent bodies, without taking into account the negative effects that this brings not only to aquatic species but also to us as consumers of them.

One of the most latent consequences of this phenomenon is the possible disappearance of coral reefs, along with the weakening of the carcasses of marine species that require carbonate for the formation of their shells, which puts them at risk from predators.

The changes that have been generated with the acidification of the oceans, these species find it difficult to adapt and even more so those dependent on the formation of the skeleton and shells with carbonate. Examples of these are oysters, mussels, crabs and lobsters.

Harrould Kolieb, Ellycia. Acidification: how does CO2 affect the oceans?. Source:

Laffoley, Dan. (2017). Introduction to ocean acidification: what it is, what we know and what can happen. Source: