What is a significant source of acidification in the oceans?

A significant source of acidification in the oceans is indeed the increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. When CO2 is released into the air from various sources, such as burning fossil fuels or deforestation, a substantial portion of it is absorbed by ocean waters. This process leads to a series of chemical reactions where CO2 reacts with water (H2O) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This acid dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-), which increases the overall acidity of the ocean.

The increase in hydrogen ions lowers the pH of the seawater, leading to ocean acidification. This phenomenon has detrimental effects on marine life, particularly organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, such as corals and certain shellfish. Understanding the contribution of atmospheric CO2 to ocean acidification is critical for assessing the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.