Acid Test
posted by Glue | August 28, 2009
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IcerocketOops, we killed the ocean.
"About ¼ to 1/3 of the carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels is absorbed by the seas. As carbon dioxide enters the ocean, it reacts with sea water to form an acid. This acid poses a very direct stress to organisms with shells, as it is corrosive. However, it presents a physiological stress to a range of other organisms as well. Since the industrial revolution, the oceans have become 30% more acidic. If we continue to pollute as we are now, ocean acidity will more than double by the end of the century."
-Lisa Suatoni
Senior Scientist, NRDC
Comments
I wouldn't be surprised
— Aug 28, 2009
If on a micro level, the acidity of our bodies has gone up in accordance with this
"There is no final revolution. Revolutions are infinite."
The same chemical process
— Aug 29, 2009
The same chemical process that is causing the acidification of the ocean occurs as a part of our metabolism, in the exchange of co2 in our bodies through respiration. Co2 travels through our blood as carbonic acid as well, and then breaks down and is released when we exhale. The carbonic acid effects pH levels in our body just like in the ocean, and our body constantly regulates this.
So if anything it would effect our metabolism, which is what is happening to marine life right now. The extra energy that is needed to regulate metabolism in the presence of increased co2 levels is taking away from marine organisms' overall energy resources that would otherwise be spent feeding, mating, etc.
