ocean acidification

[505578531]

Is the creation of acid rain similar to ocean acidification? like are they the same thing?

[ColmConnolly3D]

Nope, these are different chemical processes. As I understand it, Ocean Acidification is a phenomenon driven by the increased atmospheric carbon dioxide we are producing while acid rain comes from sulfur and nitrogen oxides released into the air.

Ocean acidification comes from the high atmospheric CO₂ levels leading to the dissolution of that CO₂ in the waters of our oceans. This dissolved CO₂ contributes to the reactants side of this chemical equation:

H₂CO₃ may be a weak acid, but it will still dissociate at oceanic pH levels, leading to the ocean acidification you mention.

Acid rain on the other hand is a phenomenon occurring in much smaller bodies of water that exist for less time. This means that sulfur and nitrogen oxides are far more likely to cause acidification reactions as they will form strong acids (namely sulfuric and nitric acid) which will quickly and completely dissociate, rapidly changing the pH of a raindrop.

I hope this helps!

[805421690]

Nope, these are different chemical processes. As I understand it, Ocean Acidification is a phenomenon driven by the increased atmospheric carbon dioxide we are producing while acid rain comes from sulfur and nitrogen oxides released into the air.

Ocean acidification comes from the high atmospheric CO₂ levels leading to the dissolution of that CO₂ in the waters of our oceans. This dissolved CO₂ contributes to the reactants side of this chemical equation:

H₂CO₃ may be a weak acid, but it will still dissociate at oceanic pH levels, leading to the ocean acidification you mention.

Acid rain on the other hand is a phenomenon occurring in much smaller bodies of water that exist for less time. This means that sulfur and nitrogen oxides are far more likely to cause acidification reactions as they will form strong acids (namely sulfuric and nitric acid) which will quickly and completely dissociate, rapidly changing the pH of a raindrop.

I hope this helps!

Wow I never knew this, this is actually very interesting since the reefs and other ecosystems within the ocean are being damaged so much by the acidity of the water, I wonder if the acidic rains that pass over ocean waters make it worse?

[Harrington Bubb3A]

How do you think we can make the ocean more basic to counteract this process?