Over
the years, oceans have absorbed over 30% of the world’s carbon dioxide. Due to
this absorption of carbon dioxide, the oceans’ acidity level has increased. The
pH level of oceans continue to drop and in 2100, the number is expected to be
7.8(0.3 less than the pH level today). This increase in acidity can cause a
major impact on the phytoplankton population. Through research and experiments,
it is shown that some species will flourish with the increased acidity, while
others will cease to exist. Since the phytoplankton are the base of the marine
food chain, this could possibly cause problems for animals higher up in the
food chain. More research is underway to find out a more accurate picture of
the future.
The underlying problem to this
whole situation is the increased absorption of carbon dioxide, which increases
acidity. Therefore, the solution to this problem would be decreasing the amount
of carbon dioxide produced. However, this is easier said than done because reducing
the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air requires many sacrifices.
The biggest barrier to this solution
would obviously be participation. If people tried to reduce the amount of
carbon dioxide produced, it would require them to change their lifestyle
dramatically. Many people aren’t motivated enough to try to change their lifestyle
and would not like to change. This carbon dioxide problem seems to be the
underlying problem to most of our issues with the environment. We should fix
this problem fast or else it might be too late.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150720133252.htm
Reading through many of these blogs, carbon dioxided is a huge problem. Many people fail to realise the ocean can be just as effected as the land. With the acidity rising and causing threats to phytoplankton, this poses a huge problem. The entire food chain will suffer if phytoplankton die off. As you said, the phytoplankton are the basis of
ReplyDeletemarine life. Something needs to be done to decline these carbon dioxide levels.