Ocean acidification is caused by carbon dioxide emissions.
It threatens the health of our ocean and the animals.
Let's start by looking at the formation of shells and animals.
The shells and animals like crabs are formed primarily of calcium carbonate.
Calcium carbonate is formed when calcium ions bind with carbonates molecules.
Ocean acidification begins with CO2 emissions.
Most CO2 is produced when fossil fuels are burned for industrial and automotive purposes.
Once in the air, CO2 is absorbed into the ocean through waive action.
Once absorbed into the ocean CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid.
Carbonic acid breaks down easily into bicarbonate molecules and hydrogen ions.
Calcium bicarbonate cannot bind together to form the shells.
Carbonate that usually forms the shells binds more easily with hydrogen ions.
This makes them unable to form the shells.
In a normal ocean, carbonate is taken from the water and combined with calcium to form the shells.
In an acidic ocean abundant hydrogen ions bind with carbonate and prevent shell formation.
Animals, like crabs, depends on shells for food, may eventually disappear if they cannot easily to form their shells.