Increasing Levels Of Carbon Dioxide - 1491 Words

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) have created problematic oceanic conditions that are detrimental towards the livelihood of coral reefs and other marine biota. The high levels of CO2 lead to a decline of ocean pH among other issues such as dramatic changes in oceanic make-up and chemistry. Statistics and data collected has shown that ocean acidification will not only increase but accelerate over the next century. The ocean takes in about 1/3 of anthropogenic carbon added to the atmosphere. Anthropogenic carbon refers to the excess CO2 added to the ocean and atmosphere from human fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, and deforestation. Although much of the damage from human fossil fuel combustion is irreversible, if emissions are decreased dramatically ocean acidification may be constrained. Human fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, and deforestation also increase the atmospheric content of strong acids and bases such as HNO3, H2SO4, and NH3, which decrease the alkalinity o f water as well as pH levels and the amount of dissolved inorganic carbon. Total alkalinity refers to the conserved thermodynamic measure of seawater acid-base chemistry that is equal to the charge difference between cations and anions. These byproducts of anthropogenic activity are only responsible for a small amount of the oceanic acidification, but are denser in coastal waters where the responses can more closely affect humans. This is relevant because policies will need to be created inShow MoreRelatedEarth s Deep Sea Sediment From The Ocean Floor963 Words   |  4 PagesKelly of UW-Madison’s Department of Geoscience can study theses samples, which show age, acidity, ocean temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. From his research, he has found that the levels of ocean acidity have increased significantly and that the increase in carbon dioxide has doubled since 1960 and just since 2011 it has risen almost 30%. The increase in carbon dioxide has risen by almost 25% since 1960 and since 2011 it has risen almost 2%. â€Å"So if this was a patient in the intensive careRead MoreHow Light Intensity Affect Photosynthesis853 Words   |  4 PagesHow does light intensity and carbon dioxide levels affect photosynthesis rate Phaladi Phaladi 201102379 Department Of Mathematics And Science Education University Of Botswana Plants, through the use of chlorophyll (green pigment in plants) that traps light can generate ‘food’ by combining carbon dioxide in the air and water. As with many chemical process energy is need to make and break molecules during the chemical process. The greater the light levels the more energy is available to carryRead MoreEssay on Humans are Responsible for Global Warming972 Words   |  4 PagesThis essay offers a defense to the position that humans are responsible for global warming. What is Carbon Dioxide? Before attempting to answer any questions based on observations about carbon dioxide, taking a moment to identify the carbon dioxide helps to ensure a clear understanding of the element. According to Princeton University (n.d.), â€Å"carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, is a heavy odorless colorless gas formed during respiration and by the decomposition of organic substances†. This naturallyRead MoreCoral Reefs Are Decaying At An Alarming Rate866 Words   |  4 Pages Coral reefs are decaying at an alarming rate, the acidity of the ocean is increasing rapidly and devastating local economies, and the polar ice caps are melting, causing a frightening increase in ocean levels, and the last time atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were this high, humans didn’t exist. Increased levels of ocean acidity and carbon dioxide are causing catastrophic damages to the planet warned associate professor Daniel Clay Kelly of UW-Madison’s Department of Geoscience where he analyzesRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Has Caused The Current Situation Of Deteriorating Climatic Conditions1364 Words   |  6 Pagesscientists have tried their best to illustrate the fact. The scientists have kept track of the changes in the levels of greenhouse gasses, and they have demonstrated that the levels keep rising every day. Human action is the core cause of these changes. The impact of these greenhouse gasses is what many people call global warming. Global warming has been described as a state of ever increasing global temperatures and other adverse weather conditions mainly as a result of interference of the ozone layerRead MoreHow Carbon Dioxide Affect The Levels Of The Ocean1251 Words   |  6 Pages How does Carbon Dioxide affect the pH levels of the ocean? C arbon Dioxide or CO2 for short is one of the most important gases in our atmosphere. Even though it is not abundant as Nitrogen and Oxygen which is a key part of life on earth; carbon dioxide also shares the same job as them. Carbon dioxide is vital to life on earth and plays an important role to plants during photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis plants couldn’t make oxygen and without oxygen humans wouldn’t be able to survive. CO2Read More Fossil Fuel Consumption, Co2 And Its Impact On Global Climate1580 Words   |  7 Pagesrecoverable fossil fuels is limited by geology and remains a matter of suspicion, but the view of the 1970s that scarcity was imminent is still popular. It is the 1973 Oil Crisis marked the transition from abundant, low-cost energy to an era of increasing prices and scarcity. Today concerns over scarcity have been overtaken by the question of whether human beings can afford to meet the environmental costs of continued fossil fuel consumption. One of the most widespread concern related to global climaticRead MoreThe United States And Alaska1463 Words   |  6 PagesScientists say climate change is driven by the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The most unstable ice sheet s in the world are Greenland, East Antarctica, and of course, West Antarctica. Research published in last May suggests the glaciers of West Antarctica, that are anchored at the seafloor, may be at a point of no return. Researchers have also found that this ice sheet has contributed 0.18 inches to the global sea level rise from 1992 to 2013. More than 70 percent ofRead MoreA Large Sea Rig980 Words   |  4 Pagesmicroscopic shelled organisms from the ocean floor, associate professor Daniel Clay Kelly of UW-Madison’s Department of Geoscience, can study these samples, which show age, acidity, ocean temperatures, and carbon dioxide levels. From his research, he has found that the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen almost 30% since 1960 and from 2011 has risen almost 2%; these huge increases are causing catastrophic damage to the planet. â€Å"So if this was a patient in the intensive care unitRead MoreGlobal Warming: Natural or Man Made? 1139 Words   |  5 Pagespublisher of â€Å"ClimateDepot.com† in which he explains why he believes that humans are not at fault. Marc Morano believes that the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere is just part of Earth’s natural weather cycle and nothing more. To him, the increasing rate of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere does not affect the climate of the Earth. I agree with Bill nye, the science guy, and his theories about human activity causing global warming. Decades ago scientists did not know wether the Earth’s atmosphere was