Acid Deposition and Coral Reef Decimation Flashcards
acid decimation
any atmosphere precipitate w/ pH less than 5.6 (rain, snow, fog, dry ppt)
most is anthropogenic (industry)
how is acid formed
H2O + CO2 –> H2CO3 carbonic acid
NOx / SO2 interact w/ H2O to form nitric / sulfuric acids
ecological causes of acid deposition
lightning
volcanic emissions
solution to acid deposition
clean air act: 1988, required smokestack scrubbers
removed particles from emissions
acid effects on plants
dissolves cuticle wax, causing dehydration and susceptibility to pathogenic invasion
leeches nutrients from the soil (calcium and magnesium) decreasing fitness
acid effects on animals
mucous membranes are damaged (respiratory system)
leads to increased infection / inflammation
fish gills produce so much mucous that they suffocate
eggs calcium supply is leeched so they are deformed/die
amphibians are highly affected
coral reef
equatorial near surface biome created by the CO3 exoskeletons of cnidarians and zooxanthellae (photosynthetic zooplankton)
coral and zooplankton relationship
coral gains glucose nutrients from the zooplankton
zooxanthellae gain a substrate in the photic zone and protection
importance of coral reefs
highest degree of biodiversity in aquatic zones
nursery / protection for organisms
protection of the shore area
threats to coral reef
global warming: increased temp and CO2 levels lead to ocean acidification (carbonic acid)
possibly affected by acid deposition
low pH effect on coral reefs
deteriorates CaCO3 exoskeletons
prevents rebuilding of the exoskeletons
bleaches the reef causing zooxanthellae to leave (decreases fitness)
more threats to coral reef
low pH causes too much CO2 in atm, acid deposition
increased turbidity: cloudier H2O decreases solar penetration and photosynthesis
agriculture, land use runoff, fishing practices (poison, explosives, dragging)
shipping lanes across the reef
