Lesson 17: Ocean Acidification

Question 1

What % of CO2 have oceans absorbed since human activity in the 1800?

Answer 1

30%

Question 2

What % of CO2 have oceans absorbed from combustion?

Answer 2

50%

Question 3

Ocean acidification has lowered the pH of the ocean by how much?

Answer 3

0.1

Question 4

What % more acidic are oceans now compared to 1750?

Answer 4

30%

Question 5

What is the effect of ocean acidification of calcifying organisms?

Answer 5

Fewer carbonate ions available as more carbonic acid is made, meaning smaller and fewer marine calcifiers

Question 6

Define coral

Answer 6

Coral is an animal which is like a small bag. The opening on top is the mouth. Tentacles (little arms) around the mouth carry a sting which paralyses small animals which are then eaten by the coral

Question 7

What is the biggest impact of ocean acidification?

Answer 7

Coral bleaching

Question 8

What causes coral to bleach?

Answer 8

Coral becomes stressed, corals evict the algae, turning it white. If bleaching continues, the coral will die due to starvation

Question 9

What is the projected pH of oceans by 2100?

Answer 9

7.8

Question 10

What was pH of oceans in 1800?

Answer 10

8.2

Question 11

What is the temperature range that coral survives best in?

Answer 11

23-29 degrees C

Question 11

What is the temperature range that coral survives best in?

Answer 11

23-29 degrees C