OA20Facts Nov
OA20Facts Nov
OA20Facts Nov
Acidification
20
November 2013
about
his document presents the highlights of the Frequently Asked Questions about Ocean
Acidification (2010, 2012; www.whoi.edu/OCB-OA/FAQs), a detailed summary of the state of
ocean acidification research and understanding. The FAQs and this fact sheet are intended to
aid scientists, science communicators, and science policy advisors asked to comment on details about
ocean acidification. In all, 63 scientists from 47 institutions and 12 countries participated in writing
the FAQ, which was produced by the Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Project (www.us-ocb.org),
the United Kingdom Ocean Acidification Programme (www.oceanacidification.org.uk), and the
European Project on Ocean Acidification (EPOCA). More information and contacts can be found at
any of these websites or at the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centres website
(www.iaea.org/ocean-acidification). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth
Assessment Report findings on ocean acidification can be viewed at www.ipcc.ch.
OA is also
changing
seawater carbonate chemistry.
The concentrations of dissolved
CO2, hydrogen ions,
and bicarbonate ions
are increasing, and the
concentration of carbonate
ions is decreasing.
Many shell-forming marine organisms are very sensitive to changes in pH and carbonate chemistry. Corals,
bivalves (such as oysters, clams, and mussels), pteropods
(free-swimming snails) and certain phytoplankton species
fall into this group. But other marine organisms are also
stressed by the higher CO2 and lower pH and carbonate ion
levels associated with ocean acidification.
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Ocean Acidification
International
Coordination Centre
OA - ICC
Ocean Carbon and
Biogeochemistry Project
Ocean Acidification
whoi.edu/OCB-OA