Ocean Acidification
Coccolithophores are single-celled algae, or phytoplankton, belonging to the haptophytes. They are distinguished by special calcium carbonate plates (or scales) of unknown purpose called coccoliths, which are important microfossils. (From Wikipedia)
Over the last 250 years, the Ocean ph has decreased from 8.25 to 8.14. While much remains unknown about the consequences of slow acidification of the oceans, the implications are not good. A lower ph ionizes calcium and thus leaches away the calcific structure and the life of our very small crustaceous friends. These plankton are the very foundation of our food chain and if destroyed threaten sea life as we know it.
Many of the rich coral beds show signs of stress or are dying. That may have been the first clue. One that is dramatic results from the unusual vigor and adaptability of Coccolithophores to changing conditions. Where other nutrients are challenged, the Coccolithophore thrives and with its turquoise green coloring serves as a colorimetric indication of sterile seas.
The photograph is of the Bearing Sea in Alaska from NASA’s Sea View Wide-Field Sensor. It shows regions of the traditionally rich fishing grounds with streaks of green, visible from satellite. The green color results from the overgrowth of our friend the Coccolithophore, signaling environmental stress like a caged canary in a coalmine.
The ph as an indicator of the acid base balance is the negative logarithm of the H ion concentration. Seven is neutral. Most animal life thrives on the non-acidic or the base side of the scale. The lower numbers are acid. The numbers higher than 7 are alkaline of base.
The Ocean’s relation to CO2 in regulating acid base balance is analogues to our own regulation of acid base with our lungs. If we breath a bit slower or if there is congestion and obstruction, we accumulate more CO2 in our lungs and thus in our blood. This accumulation results in the CO2’s diffusion in water as carbonic acid. A little bit is normal but an accumulation is not. For us, acid base balance is the most closely guarded homeostatic mechanism we have. We do not allow our acid base balance vary by even minute changes in ph. Our Oceans may similarly require a steady, closely guarded ph --- for the balance, the richness and the abundance of ocean life.
Over the last 250 years, the Ocean ph has decreased from 8.25 to 8.14. While much remains unknown about the consequences of slow acidification of the oceans, the implications are not good. A lower ph ionizes calcium and thus leaches away the calcific structure and the life of our very small crustaceous friends. These plankton are the very foundation of our food chain and if destroyed threaten sea life as we know it.
Many of the rich coral beds show signs of stress or are dying. That may have been the first clue. One that is dramatic results from the unusual vigor and adaptability of Coccolithophores to changing conditions. Where other nutrients are challenged, the Coccolithophore thrives and with its turquoise green coloring serves as a colorimetric indication of sterile seas.
The photograph is of the Bearing Sea in Alaska from NASA’s Sea View Wide-Field Sensor. It shows regions of the traditionally rich fishing grounds with streaks of green, visible from satellite. The green color results from the overgrowth of our friend the Coccolithophore, signaling environmental stress like a caged canary in a coalmine.
The ph as an indicator of the acid base balance is the negative logarithm of the H ion concentration. Seven is neutral. Most animal life thrives on the non-acidic or the base side of the scale. The lower numbers are acid. The numbers higher than 7 are alkaline of base.
The Ocean’s relation to CO2 in regulating acid base balance is analogues to our own regulation of acid base with our lungs. If we breath a bit slower or if there is congestion and obstruction, we accumulate more CO2 in our lungs and thus in our blood. This accumulation results in the CO2’s diffusion in water as carbonic acid. A little bit is normal but an accumulation is not. For us, acid base balance is the most closely guarded homeostatic mechanism we have. We do not allow our acid base balance vary by even minute changes in ph. Our Oceans may similarly require a steady, closely guarded ph --- for the balance, the richness and the abundance of ocean life.
posted by Clancy Hughes | 5/12/2007 01:55:00 PM
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