Ocean Acidification
As carbon dioxide (CO2) builds up in the atmosphere, more CO2 is also pushed into the oceans. The resulting chemical reaction renders the ocean more acidic, particularly in its upper layers (which is where most of the biological activity occurs). Ocean models forecast that the ocean will continue to gradually acidify. Even seemingly small changes in the pH of the oceans, however, is expected to have a significant impact on the life-cycle of shelled organisms and corals.
The future of ocean acidity may vary widely depending on a number of variables. In evaluating the graphic below, it's important to remember that pH is measured on a logarithmic scale. Extracted from "2008 Prinn_Influence on CC of Differing Scenarios Using MIT IGSM Model." (available in the Climate Web)
Digging Deeper
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