Water System Acidification

What happens when we EXHALE into water?

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
  • When ocean absorbs CO2 from any source, it becomes Carbonic Acid (H2CO3).
  • The increased amount of CO2 from Fossil Fuel use is creating an increasingly acidic ocean environment.
    • This acid attacks the Calcium rich shells of crabs, clams and coral which can trigger a full breakdown of ocean ecosystems.
Organisms effected by Ocean Acidification
Dead coral can’t house other marine life.
Smaller, thinner shells resulting from acidic environments.
Shellfish with weakened shells can’t grow large and reproduce.
ACID RAIN
  • Because coal is a more complex mixture, it tends to release more than just CO2 when it is burned and the smoke travels into the clouds.
  • Coal with high Sulfur content releases SO2 and SO3 molecules that become Sulfuric Acid.
  • Coal with high Nitrogen content releases NO2 and NO3 molecules that become Nitric Acid.
Organisms Impacted by Acid Rain
Acid rain kills plant foliage and root systems, destroying entire forests.
Without plant roots to hold soil in place, landslides become more common.
Acidic runoff builds up in waterways killing fish.
Organisms Impacted by Acid Rain
Acid rain slowly erodes the surface of limestone statues because they are made of CaCO3.

ACID RAIN also damages human structures when it reacts with metals atoms in our structures and stoneworks.

Acid rain slowly corroded this metal bridge.

What can be done to protect our ecosystems?

What’s next?

I’m lost😱

I need some background information:

pH
FOSSIL FUELS
EFFECTS OF COMBUSTION

I need practice 🤔

I want to test my knowledge

GIMKIT

Let’s move on👍

Good grief, how else do Fossil Fuels negatively impact the environment?

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS