Humans a Major Cause of Ocean Acidification

Introduction of Humans a Major Cause of Ocean Acidification

        It is vital to understand for all stakeholders that ocean acidification is being caused by more amount of carbon dioxide being released in the atmosphere. This increasing amount of carbon dioxide is absorbed by the oceans; thus, oceans are being acidified. It is observed that when more carbon dioxide is consumed by the oceans, the ocean surface water pH levels get more saturated and acidified. It is important to know that things have been getting worse with the passage of time. For instance, there was a time, when the situation was quite better, but then the industrial revolution started, and human activities started to pollute the atmosphere with releasing more carbon dioxide. It has been observed that out of 100% extra carbon dioxide released in the air, 25% of carbon dioxide is absorbed by the oceans, which is a great benefit of oceans to human life. But a significant increase in the emission of carbon dioxide is making things difficult. This dangerous situation is being caused by humans because they are contributing to polluting the climate. Humans are burning fossil fuels as well as cutting trees along with various other activities, which has become a major cause of ocean acidification over the years (BORUNDA)

How Humans Contributing to Ocean Acidification

     In the above passage, the overall concept of ocean acidification has been explained in brief, so now it is vital to look at its major causes. An argument has been established earlier that humans are one of the major causes of emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is causing ocean acidification. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air is not good for life on the planet earth, because more carbon dioxide pollutes the environment, which is dangerous for humans as well as species living in the oceans. The first major cause of ocean acidification is the emission of carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels. Due to the burning of fossil fuel, gases are produced, which pollutes the atmosphere causing so many climate changes affecting the life on earth. The humans are burning fossil fuel by using it in cars, factories, power plants as well as airplanes. Oil, coal, and gases are considered to be fossil fuels. It is important to mention here that increased use of fossil fuel has been very dangerous for the atmosphere, and the amount of carbon dioxide is increased. That’s why the temperature of the environment has been going higher in the last few decades because the activity of fossil fuel burning has been increasing with more factories, power plants, and automobiles (Dien and Stone)

    It is an important research area for researchers to conduct research studies and analyze how humans are causing ocean acidification. The scientists have analyzed the issue in recent times, and they have concluded that human activities are making oceans more acidified. A report from the scientists of Massachusetts Institute of Technology was released in 2016, and it revealed that the amount of carbon dioxide released by human activities is polluting the northeast Pacific Ocean, as it is consuming more carbon dioxide. They said that activity has been more severe in the last decade as carbon dioxide levels are at an alarming level. They also revealed that the pH level in the Pacific Ocean reason has gone down to 0.002 pH units on a yearly basis for the last 10 years. It was observed that increased carbon levels have affected the levels of aragonite, which is an important thing for many marine species and their shells. The scientists said that surface water is being polluted in a large amount due to this acidification, and if things will continue like this, then the situation can get worst in the future. The adverse effects of this situation will be there for human life as well as marine life (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

      It is vital to keep in mind that something is said on mere assumptions or perceptions, but ocean acidification caused by humans is not an assumption without facts, rather it is an undeniable fact, which has been proved by scientists as well. It is necessary to see the evidence provided by scientists to prove that increasing acidity and decreasing the pH of oceans is caused by humans’ activities. The science has talked about three processes, which prove the ocean acidification. The first measure is increasing the level of CO2 in the atmosphere due to fossil fuel combustion. Once this high amount of CO2 is produced, then it is absorbed by the oceans. The third thing is that when CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, it is actually dissolved into the ocean water, making it acidic and saturated, which ultimately causes ocean acidification. So, when scientists looked around for reasons, who are causing more CO2 in the atmosphere, they found that humans are burning fossil fuels, which is increasing CO2 and thus becoming a major reason for ocean acidification. All of these facts are undeniable and it is verified that humans are causing ocean acidification (Suatoni)

               There is one more thing, which is vital for the earth’s environment, and if it is not taken care of, then things can get worst for the environment, and that important thing is trees and forests. The CO2 released in the air is absorbed by trees, and they release back Oxygen, which is good for humans as well as the environment. It means that having more trees & forests are critical for the environment and climate. They are great in absorbing CO2, and when more CO2 will be produced, the world will need more trees to absorb this extra amount of CO2. The issue, which is playing its part in ocean acidification, is deforestation. It means that humans are cutting trees for their use, and they are cutting trees to get more agricultural land to earn more means of living, because the population is increasing, which is asking for more land for humans to live. The two major causes of deforestation are ocean acidification and global warming. The world has faced many climate changes like more storms and floods over the years, which are happening due to forestation. Moreover, forests are good to absorb CO2, which is also good for oceans as they will have to consume less CO2. But deforestation is affecting the oceans as well. It is important to look at the causes of deforestation so that it can be stopped to save the forests and oceans for a better life on earth (Hilderman)

     It has been found with the above facts that humans have become a major cause of ocean acidification. Now, the question is how humans should be stopped by doing so in large numbers so that climate, environment, as well as oceans, are saved from negative consequences. For this purpose, it is vital to look at severe consequences both for human life and marine life. A study was conducted to see the effects of ocean acidification on marine life. The study found that marine life is facing a dangerous situation, where ocean water is being saturated and becoming acidified, which is making life difficult for species and their shells to exist in water. The surface water of the ocean is facing many changes, which are leading to negative consequences. The low level of calcium carbonate due to acidification is dangerous for skeletons and shells of marine organisms (Doney). The same is the case with human life because oceans are also important for the existence of humans on planet earth. If oceans will be polluted and acidified with the passage of time, and water will become unusable, then human life will have to face severe consequences in the future (Raunek)

Conclusion of Humans a Major Cause of Ocean Acidification

               It can be concluded in the end after looking at relevant facts and information that humans are a major cause of ocean acidification. There are two things to relate to this fact. The first thing is that ocean acidification happens due to the increasing level of CO2, which oceans absorb, and the second thing is that CO2 emitted in the atmosphere is being emitted by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels as well as deforestation. So, it is evident that humans are actually causing ocean acidification, and if their activities of emitting CO2 will not be minimized, the issue will get worst in the future.

Works Cited of Humans a Major Cause of Ocean Acidification

BORUNDA, ALEJANDRA. Ocean acidification, explained. 2019. 29 November 2019 <https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/oceans/critical-issues-ocean-acidification/>.

Dien, Kevin Van and Debbi Stone. How are humans causing ocean acidification? 2018. 29 November 2019 <https://climateinterpreter.org/content/how-are-humans-causing-ocean-acidification>.

Doney, Scott. "The consequences of human-driven ocean acidification for marine life." F1000 Biol Rep 1.36 (2009).

Hilderman, Richard. The Effect of Deforestation on the Climate and Environment. 2010. 29 November 2019 <https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/the-effect-of-deforestation-on-the-climate-and-environment>.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Increased ocean acidification is due to human activities, say scientists. 2016. 29 November 2019 <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160907125002.htm>.

Raunek. Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine and Human Life. 2019. 29 November 2019 <https://www.marineinsight.com/environment/effects-of-ocean-acidification-on-marine-and-human-life/>.

Suatoni, Lisa. Why Scientists Agree Ocean Acidification is Undeniably Caused by Humans. 2009. 29 November 2019 <https://www.nrdc.org/experts/lisa-suatoni/why-scientists-agree-ocean-acidification-undeniably-caused-humans>.