Flashcards: Ocean Acidification and Carbon Cycle — 12 cards

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.

Hydrogen ions — role?

Increase acidity, lower pH when released from H2CO3.

Ocean as sink — function?

Absorbs atmospheric CO2, forms carbonic acid.

pH decline — cause?

More H+ ions from carbonic acid increase acidity.

Diffusion — driven by?

Concentration gradient between air and seawater.

Marine impact — consequence?

Difficulty maintaining calcium carbonate shells and exoskeletons.

H2CO3 dissociation products?

Hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate (HCO3-).