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Chapter 46: Q.38 (page 1369)

Discuss how the human disruption of the carbon cycle has caused ocean acidification.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The amount of carbon present in the atmosphere is directly proportional to the amount of carbon present in the oceans. When the carbon is dissolved in water it releases bicarbonates as the byproducts. It generally affects ocean acidification because bicarbonates are weak bases.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Given information

The source of carbon found in dissolved water is carbon dioxide. Due to anthropogenic activities, the concentration of carbon content increases day by day in the ecosystem.

02

Step 2. Explanation

As human activities lead to an increase in the content of carbon in the atmosphere it creates a relationship between carbon dioxide content in oceans as well as in the atmosphere. So, the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere is directly proportional to the amount of carbon in the ocean. On reacting with dissolved water, carbon produces bicarbonates (weak bases) as a byproduct. In this way, the acidity of the ocean declines up to 30%.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In the English Channel ecosystem, the number of primary producers is smaller than the number of primary consumers because

a. the apex consumers have a low turnover rate

b. the primary producers have a low turnover rate

c. the primary producers have a high turnover rate

d. the primary consumers have a high turnover rate

The weight of living organisms in an ecosystem at a particular point in time is called: a. energy b. production c. entropy d. biomass

Which of the following approaches would be the most effective way to reduce greenhouse carbon dioxide?

a. Increase waste deposition into the deep ocean.

b. Plant more environmentally-suitable plants.

c. Increase use of fuel sources that do not produce carbon dioxide as a by-product.

d. Decrease livestock agriculture

Why are drinking water supplies still a major concern

for many countries?

How would loss of fungi in a forest effect biogeochemical cycles in the area? a. Nitrogen could no longer be fixed into organic molecules.

b. Phosphorus stores would be released for use by other organisms.

c. Sulfur release from eroding rocks would cease.

d. Carbon would accumulate in dead organic matter and waste.
See all solutions

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