Approximately 500 billion tons of CO2 emitted by human related activity has been absorbed by the ocean since the industrial revolution. Dissolved CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which partially dissociates to release CO32- and two protons . As a result of this reaction, the ocean’s pH level has decreased by 0.11 over the past 250 years. This phenomenon is called ocean acidification. Marine organism that produce CaCO3 shells are impacted by the concentration of carbonate ions and the effects of ocean acidification. In this work we study the impact of pH on marine shell composition from three different regions: Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The amount of CO2 in the shells was determined by digesting the marine seashells in 3.0 M hydrochloric acid. Long term effects of ocean acidification for shells of the three regions is currently being investigated using artificial sea water at pH's of 4.3, 5.3, 6.3, 7.3, 8.3. We hypothesize that lower pH’s will dissolve a greater percent of carbonate compared to less acidic sea water. Through this work we hope to create awareness of the effects of climate change on the environment, specifically on oceans.

Impact of ocean acidification on the composition of marine shells

255th National Meeting (2018)

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