Ocean Acidification Flashcards
what has more CO2 the ocena or the atmosphere?
the ocean
When atmospheric CO2 reacts with water what is initially formed?
carbonic acid
1 deprotonation of carbonic acid
bicarbonate
2nd deprotonation of carbonic acid
carbonate
What other ocean event occurs in low pH regions?
Upwelling
Does deep water have a high pH or a low pH
Low due to the biological pump
how does phytoplankton contribute to ocean acidity
the removal of carbonate to form shells results in low pH
What limits the ocean ability to absorb Co2
The thermohaline circulation
omega >1
calcium carbonate shells can form
omega=0
solids present will dissolve
omega=1
the system is is at equilibrium
omega <1
the solids will dissolve
what dissolves more readily aragonite or calcite?
aragonite
what alters the solubility of calcium carbonate?
the crystal structure
How long does it take for dissolution to become evident in pteropod shells?
48 hours
what are some naturally low pH environments in the ocean?
subduction zones: volcanic arcs, hydrothermal vents
what comes out of white (champagne) smokers?
liquid Co2
What is seen in mussel shells from a low pH environment?
thinner
how are mussels able to survive in low pH environment
more energy is spent to constantly build the shell. After death there is no shell rubble because it dissolves
What are the effects of OA on corals?
newly settled coral larvae cannot grow calcium carbonate shells and established corals have dissolution
effects of ocean warming coral
the zo·o·xan·thel·la are expelled
what is the max temperature for coral reefs?
30
what is the time frame for a coral to recover the zooxanthellae after a warming event?
< 1 month
what kind of plankton are zooxanthellae?
dinoflagellates
what organism can take the place of zooxanthellae
algal symbiont
what is local effect of OA?
the aragonite saturation depth is getting shallower
what animals will be most effected by OA locally?
Crabs, mussles, scallops, etc. (shellfish)
