oceanography

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Liberty University *

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210

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Geography

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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2

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1. Describe the dilemma selected: What is it? What is the current impact on the ocean, coastal environments, marine biology, and humans? What is the predicted impact if this dilemma is not resolved? 2. Discuss some of the current research being done on this ocean dilemma/issue. 3. Discuss methods to combat this dilemma/issue. 4. Address why you are interested in this specific dilemma/issue. Include your thoughts on the significance of this dilemma/issue. 5. Compose a short concluding paragraph highlighting the points of your thread. Ocean acidification is a dilemma that is a result of human activities that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The atmospheric warming and the change in climate is caused by these human activities. The ocean also absorbs this carbon dioxide, and more specifically, absorbs approximately a third to a half of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere (CoastAdapt, 2017). Although this helps with the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, it has detrimental effects on the ocean. “Since around 1850, the oceans have absorbed between a third and a half of the CO 2   emitted to the atmosphere” (CoastAdapt, 2017). This absorption of carbon dioxide has caused the pH level of the ocean surface to fall about 0.1 units which corresponds to a 26% increase in the acidity of the ocean which has changed 10 times faster than at any point in the last 55 million years (CoastAdapt, 2017). The increase in acidity may increase in the chance of Sealife that have shells or exoskeletons, experiencing their shells dissolving. “When pteropod shells were placed in sea water with pH and carbonate levels projected for the year 2100, the shells slowly dissolve after 45 days” (NOAA, 2020). Marine organisms may also experience changes in growth, development, survival, and abundance with the acidification of the ocean (CoastAdapt, 2017). The impact of the acidification on the ocean impacts humans because it causes the amount of sea life to diminish which is a food source as well. This can also effect tourism as the ocean and beaches are a significant part of tourism around the world. “Four new research projects are giving a boost to NOAA’s ability to measure, track and forecast ocean acidification, warming and other important ocean health indicators” (NOAA, 2020). Two of these projects aim to refine biogeochemical (BGC) Argo float designs with new sensors to gain a better understanding of the ocean’s role within the carbon cycle. This research will help to see how the addition to the acidity will affect the ocean as well and the life of the creatures within the ocean. Combatting this dilemma should be of upmost importance. To improve water quality, it would be good to “monitoring and regulating localized sources of acidification from runoff and pollutants such as fertilizers” (CoastAdapt, 2017). It is also important to increase coastal protections as well as applying marine spatial planning. Protecting endangered and vulnerable species or ecosystems is also important. I think this issue is very important because the ocean makes up the majority of the earth. There are so many different ecosystems and species within the ocean that are affected
by the actions of humans. The acidity of the ocean will be detrimental to so many different parts that also affect us as humans. Ocean acidification is a powerful concern and should be taken seriously. The research shows that the acidity of the ocean has already increased a significant amount over the past 55 million years. This factor can cause species whether they are endangered or not to be wiped out in the near future. There should be more concern about this environmental change and the protection of the oceans and coast lines should be a priority. References CoastAdapt. (2017, April 27).  Ocean acidification and its effects . Coastadapt.com.au. https://coastadapt.com.au/ocean-acidification-and-its-effects   NOAA. (2020).  Ocean Acidification . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean- coasts/ocean-acidification
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