Ocean Acidification Essay

Name: Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science I TTh 1:30-3:00 pm NatSci 2 – Physical Sciences

Acidity of the Oceans
What is the ocean's acidity? What about it? Is it oceans turning into acids and you can't swim anymore because it may burn your skin or is it like some of those sci-fi movies where bubbles would appear and then suddenly engulf the whole cruise ship you're on?

Ocean's acidity is measured by PH scale 0-14, 7 being neutral, less than 7 acidic, and more than 7 basic. And nope, it's not likely oceans turning into acids like those ones our mothers use when they clean our sinks or toilets neither those in the sci-fi movies giving out bubbles. Ocean's acidity refers to the amount of carbon dioxide molecules being absorbed in the waters which, when too much is absorbed, may change the ocean the way it used to be and thus leading to several unpleasant effects.

Recent studies show that over the past centuries, our PH level in the oceans has decreased by 25 percent. This means that over time, our waters will get even more acidic if this problem will not be addressed. With the growing population comes the growing amount of carbon dioxide emission and the growing acidity of the oceans.

Since waters make almost most of our planet, its affecting range will not be limited to small places. Animals living in the oceans will be greatly affected as well as those who rely for food on it. For instance, shells and clams will have difficulties in shell formations and corals will have hard time building up colonies that serve as habitat to many fishes. People who rely on the oceans for food and business will also be affected.

As to addressing this problem of increasing acidity in the oceans, the big responsibility is on the authorities. Luckily and sadly at the same time, I am not someone in position whose decision might either blow up the whole situation or give the best solution. But someone from the sector the future would hope for, the least I can do is to participate in campaigns on ocean acidification and carbon dioxide emission and stand for our advocacies in saving the waters of our planet Earth.