Carbon dioxide absorption

Definition

Carbon dioxide absorption refers to the process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) is taken up from the atmosphere into the ocean. This process plays a crucial role in regulating global climate and ocean chemistry, as it affects the pH levels of seawater, leading to ocean acidification. As CO2 dissolves in seawater, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which subsequently lowers the pH and has significant impacts on marine ecosystems, particularly for organisms that rely on calcium carbonate for their skeletal structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The oceans absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, which helps mitigate climate change but causes ocean acidification.
2. As the acidity of seawater increases due to higher CO2 levels, calcifying organisms struggle to maintain their calcium carbonate structures, leading to weakened shells and skeletons.
3. Coral reefs are particularly sensitive to carbon dioxide absorption because they rely on a stable pH for healthy growth and maintenance of their structures.
4. Higher CO2 absorption can lead to shifts in marine species distributions as some species may thrive under acidic conditions while others decline.
5. Ocean acidification poses a threat to global fisheries, as many economically important fish species depend on calcifying organisms for food and habitat.

Review Questions

• How does carbon dioxide absorption lead to ocean acidification and what are its implications for marine ecosystems?
  • Carbon dioxide absorption leads to ocean acidification by increasing the concentration of carbonic acid in seawater, which lowers pH levels. This process has significant implications for marine ecosystems, especially for calcifying organisms like corals and shellfish that struggle to form their calcium carbonate structures in more acidic conditions. As a result, these organisms may decline in health and population, affecting biodiversity and disrupting entire marine food webs.
• Evaluate the impact of increased carbon dioxide absorption on calcifying organisms and related ecosystems.
  • Increased carbon dioxide absorption negatively impacts calcifying organisms by reducing their ability to produce and maintain calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. This decline affects not only individual species but also entire ecosystems, as organisms like corals provide essential habitats for numerous marine species. Additionally, weakened calcifiers can lead to reduced structural complexity in ecosystems like coral reefs, which diminishes biodiversity and resilience against environmental stressors.
• Synthesize information about carbon dioxide absorption's role in the carbon cycle and its broader environmental consequences.
  • Carbon dioxide absorption plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle by acting as a buffer for atmospheric CO2 levels and regulating climate. However, as oceans absorb more CO2, this disrupts their chemistry and leads to ocean acidification. The broader environmental consequences include threats to marine life, particularly calcifying organisms that are vital for ecosystem health. Moreover, these changes can have cascading effects on fisheries and coastal communities that rely on healthy marine ecosystems for their livelihoods.

Related terms

ocean acidification: Ocean acidification is the decrease in pH levels of ocean water due to increased absorption of carbon dioxide, leading to harmful effects on marine life.

calcifying organisms: Calcifying organisms are marine species, such as corals and mollusks, that build their shells or skeletons using calcium carbonate, making them vulnerable to changes in ocean chemistry.

carbon cycle: The carbon cycle is the natural process through which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms, playing a vital role in climate regulation.