Ocean Acidification

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-019309",
  "term": "Ocean Acidification",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in sea water causing a measurable increase in acidity (i.e., a reduction in ocean pH). This may lead to reduced calcification rates of calcifying organisms such as corals, mollusks, algae and crustaceans.\n\n2. Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in sea water causing an increase in acidity of ocean waters (i.e., a reduction in ocean pH). Decrease in pH in coastal waters can be caused by dissolved inorganic carbon, dissolved and particulate organic carbon, and nutrients from riverine and estuarine sources.\n\n3. Process that occurs when carbon dioxide reacts with seawater to produce carbonic acid. This raises surrounding acidity levels and lowers carbonate ion levels, making it harder for oysters and other shellfish to produce the calcium carbonate needed to form their shells.\n\n4. A process that occurs when carbon dioxide reacts with seawater to produce carbonic acid. This raises surrounding acidity levels and lowers carbonate ion levels, making it harder for oysters and other shellfish to produce the calcium carbonate needed to form their shells.",
  "subject": "Climate change",
  "references": [
    "Glossary of Climate Change Terms",
    "Resilience and Adaptation in New England (RAINE) Glossary",
    "Chesapeake Bay Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/ocean-acidification/"
}