Ocean acidification can be best described as a decrease in pH levels in Earth's oceans. As pH decreases, ocean acidity increases. One of the main reasons this happens is the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. The oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and when the carbon dioxide dissolves in salt water, the carbon molecules bond with oxygen molecules to form a compound called carbonic acid (CO2 + H2O → H2CO3 ). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay When carbonic acid is produced, the acid breaks down in water and releases harmful components such as hydrogen ions. Excessive amounts of hydrogen ions are harmful to marine life. Plants such as photosynthetic algae require CO2 and therefore can benefit from excessive amounts of CO2. However, shelled organisms are at risk, and this affects not only them, but the entire food web. In the two experiments conducted, we tested how the ocean pH level could be affected by different factors and the effects on the ecosystem. To be more specific, we will test how carbon dioxide affects the pH levels in the first experiments, and in the second experiment we will test how the pH levels of the water itself affect the shells. In the “Bubble Protocol” lab, we will blow into the water, so we can add carbon dioxide to the water. When we blow it, the carbon dioxide reacts with the water and makes the water more acidic. Using a universal indicator, we measure any changes in the water every 30 seconds. Measuring the pH of water indicates acidity. Carbon dioxide reacting with water will produce an acidic pH of the water. My group's hypothesis was that if carbon dioxide was blown into the water, the acidity of the water would increase. The independent variable is water type. In the controlled experiment, the water will be salt water. In the experimental experiment, the water will be tap water. The dependent variable is the pH level of the water, which will change depending on the type of water. The constants will be the quantity of water. They will both be 100ml. Additionally, both beakers of water will be covered with plastic wrap and a straw will be inserted into both. When our group's blower blew through the straw, carbon dioxide was added to the water. Although this significantly affected the pH level during the first 30 seconds of the experiment, the pH level remained constant thereafter. The pH decreased, so the acidity increased. The salt present in the control group's salt water likely contributed to the acidity being higher than in tap water. Our initial hypothesis that carbon dioxide makes water more acidic was correct. The water became acidic as the pH of both waters dropped. This was due to the hydrogen ions of carbonic acid. I learned that ocean acidification is a serious concept that affects several different species and is primarily caused by humans releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which eventually turns into hydrogen ions in the ocean . Organisms make their shells using calcium carbonate. I'm waiting for a solution like vinegar which is very acidic to dissolve the shells. Carbon dioxide reaches the oceans through the ocean and absorbs it from the environment. Humans are another source of carbon dioxide, as we release carbon dioxide through the process of respiration. The hypothesis of.