Ocean Acidification and Carbon Cycle

Revision sheet excerpt

Course Outline

  1. Ocean acidification and carbon cycle
  2. Carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater
  3. Carbonic acid and pH decline
  4. Diffusion and ocean CO2 uptake
  5. Oceans as a carbon sink
  6. Impacts on marine organisms

1. Ocean acidification and carbon cycle

Key Concepts & Definitions

  • Ocean acidification : Ocean acidification is the chemical increase in seawater acidity driven by added carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • Carbon cycle exchange : Carbon cycle exchange is the natural back-and-forth movement of carbon between the atmosphere and the ocean.
  • Fossil fuel burning : Fossil fuel burning is a source of rising atmospheric CO2 that overloads the natural carbon exchange with the ocean.

Essential Points

  • Rising atmospheric CO2 adds more carbon to seawater than the ocean can process naturally in the overloaded carbon cycle.
  • Carbon cycle exchange is balanced under natural conditions but becomes unbalanced when fossil fuels increase CO2 inputs.
  • Ocean acidification reduces seawater pH by increasing hydrogen ion concentration through CO2-driven chemistry.

Memory Hook

More CO2 in air → more CO2 dissolves → more H+ → lower pH.

2. Carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater

Key Concepts & Definitions

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Quiz preview

1. What best describes ocean acidification in the context of the carbon cycle?

2. Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to ocean acidification?

3. What happens first when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater?

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Flashcards preview

Ocean acidification — definition?

Chemical increase in seawater acidity from CO2.

Carbon cycle exchange — role?

Balances carbon transfer between atmosphere and ocean.

Fossil fuel burning — effect?

Raises atmospheric CO2, overloads natural exchange.

CO2 dissolving — process?

CO2 gas transfers into seawater and reacts with water.

Diffusion — mechanism?

Movement from low to high concentration to balance levels.

Carbonic acid — formation?

Formed when CO2 reacts with seawater.

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The revision sheet covers the essential concepts of Ocean Acidification and Carbon Cycle. It is organized by topic to facilitate learning and memorization, with key definitions, explanations and summaries.

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The quiz contains 12 multiple-choice questions with detailed corrections and explanations for each answer. Ideal for testing your knowledge and identifying gaps.

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