What are some environmental changes in the ocean and how does it affect organisms living there?

Question

Brooklyn Alexander · Accepted Answer

Ocean acidification and plastics

Oceans and seas are performing a notable service to the climate system by absorbing so much #CO_2# (carbondioxide) we currently add into the atmosphere by using nonrenewable fuels (coal, natural gas, gas, etc.). The natural pH of oceans and seas (open ones) is between 8.0 and 8.3, which means they are alkaline. When dissolved carbon dioxide gas dissolves into sea water, carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions form: #CO_2 + H_2O <=> H_2CO_3 <=> H^+ + HCO_3^-# The bicarbonate ions ionize to some extent into hydrogen and carbonate ions: #HCO_3^-# #<=> H^+ + CO_3^-2# The above reactions release hydrogen ions, which make the water more acidic as carbon dioxide absorption accelerates. Studies have shown that oceans and seas already experienced a decrease in pH of 0.1 since preindustrial times. It seems possible ocean pH will drop by another 0.3 by the end of this century. If that happens, oceans and seas will be more acidic than they have been for hundreds of million years. Many creatures will probably not adopt this change. Mass extinction might be seen. Another important issue is plastics and garbage we throw to oceans/seas. Many creatures eat them. They die when they do this sooner or later. Some wastes cause deaths of animals because of entanglement. In some areas, there are more plastics compared to fish counts. Such pollution will not only cause changes in fish populations but also harm human being since humans consume fish contaminated with microplastics.

Ezekiel Allen · Answer

undefined Some environmental changes in the ocean include ocean acidification, sea level rise, temperature changes, and pollution. These changes can affect organisms living in the ocean by altering their habitats, food sources, reproductive patterns, and overall health. For example, ocean acidification can disrupt the calcium carbonate shells of marine organisms such as corals, mollusks, and plankton, making them more vulnerable to predation and environmental stress. Temperature changes can shift the distribution of marine species, leading to changes in predator-prey relationships and ecosystem dynamics. Sea level rise can inundate coastal habitats, reducing available habitat for marine organisms and increasing coastal erosion. Pollution, such as plastic debris and chemical contaminants, can directly harm marine life through ingestion, entanglement, and toxicity, leading to population declines and ecosystem degradation.