Ocean Management Issue: Ocean Acidification

1. Ocean Management Issue: Ocean Acidification • Implications and Mitigation Initiatives by Kenya and the United States

3. Figure 3. Illustrates the affects of CO2 emissions on ocean chemistry when preindustrial levels are doubled, which is projected to occur well before 2100. There will be an increase in bicarbonate (HCO3–) and a decrease in the availability of carbonate (CO32–), making it more difficult for coral reef animals and plants to make carbonate skeletons and shells by forcing them to consume more energy coping with the decreased accessibility of carbonate. (Eakin, 2008)

4. How is pH measured? pH is determined using the scale above (0-14), and then calculated by the formula: pH = -log10 [H+] pH utilizes a negative logarithmic dependence on hydrogen ion concentration (mol/L); a ten-fold increase in [H+] decreases pH by 1 unit on the scale. What is Ocean Acidification? Ocean Acidification refers to the increase in the concentration of [H+] ions in seawater, causing a decrease in the pH level. Although the ocean remains alkaline (basic), Ocean Acidification refers to the process of becoming more acidic. Figure 1. The pH scale

5. Figure 1.Relative Oceanic Concentration Proportions of the 3 Inorganic Forms of Dissolved CO2 100 10-1 Fractional log [concentration] 10-2 10-3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 pH

6. The scientific community is still uncertain of the magnitude of severity from ocean acidification on the biological and physiological processes of aquatic organisms, causing difficulty in determining adequate mitigation measures and effective policy options • Ocean Chemistry • CO2dissolved in seawater exists in three main inorganic forms collectively known as dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC): • (1%) aqueous CO2[includes carbonic acid (H2CO3)] • (91%) bicarbonate ion: (HCO3–) • (8%) carbonate ions (CO3)2– • Net effect of dissolved CO2: • - Increased concentrations of H+, H2CO3, & HCO3– • - Decreased concentration of carbonate ions (CO3)2– • * Biological and physiological calcification processes are impeded as carbonate concentrations decrease from acidification

7. Critical Impact: Coral Reef & Biodiversity Degradation • Coral reefs are the second most biologically diverse ecosystem on Earth & are critical to the general health of many other marine organisms that depend on the reefs for food, protection, or reproduction purposes • Both nations rely on thriving marine ecosystems because of the services they provide • KENYA: • Implications for Kenya & US • Biological • Disruption of Ocean Life • Reduced Biodiversity among aquatic organisms; many will not be able to adapt to the rapid rate of pH and temperature changes • Significant damage to coral reefs are anticipated from the decreasing ability to form calcified structures, coupled with indirect ocean surface temperate increases • Socioeconomic • Eco-tourism • Effects on Marine Fisheries • Large-scale fishing will be inhibited, which is a crucial component of global human food sources • Phytoplankton & Zooplankton • Vulnerability of Ecosystem Services • Coral reef damage incapacitates the ability to protect coastal areas from high wave energies • Systemic : The ocean plays a huge role in regulating global temperatures, climatic conditions & natural processes • Global Carbon System • Ocean’s reduced ability to act as a carbon sink will force CO2 to remain in the atmosphere & magnifying global warming • Climate System • Critical Implication: Coral Reef Destruction • Coral reefs are the second most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth, & are critical to the general health of most other marine organisms which depend on the reefs for food sources, protection, or reproduction purposes • Both the US & Kenyan economies rely on healthy marine ecosystems for the services they provide • Profitable tourism sector, national food source, coastal protection mechanisms • 50% of Americans live in coastal areas, where 60% of US GDP is generated