Methane in Permafrost & Ocean Acidification

Ocean Acidification Ocean acidification happens when atmospheric CO2 is dissolved in the seawater, increasing the acidity (lower pH)

What’s the big deal? Increased ocean acidity causes countless problems for marine plants and animals. It is particularly influential on shellfish and corals because they are losing the ability to create the exoskeletons they live in with increasing ocean acidity.

Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification Video on ocean acidification Guided notes to go along

3. This raises the hydrogen ion concentration in the water, and limits organisms' access to carbonate ions, which are needed to form hard parts 1. Up to one half of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released by burning fossil fuels over the past 200 years has been absorbed by the world's oceans 2. Absorbed CO2 in seawater (H2O) forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), lowering the water's pH level and making it more acidic

Methane What is it? Methane is an odorless, colorless flammable gas. It is used primarily as fuel to make heat and light. It is also used to manufacture organic chemicals. Methane can be formed by the decay of natural materials and is common in landfills, marshes, septic systems and sewers.

Where does it come from? Natural Wetlands (very little to no oxygen) Anaerobic Decomposition Vegetation Termites Oceans Livestock Domesticated livestock dump large quantities of methane into the atmosphere. 20% of global methane emissions Industrial Annual emissions around 320 million tons Burning of oil, coal, natural gas, biomass. Waste & landfills

Wetland Anaerobic Decomposition

Livestock

Industrial/Anthropogenic

Permafrost & Methane Below the permafrost at the poles, anaerobic decomposition releases methane that remains trapped underneath the frozen permafrost. As global temperatures continue to rise, more and more of this permafrost is melting, allowing that once trapped methane to escape into the atmosphere.

Methane pockets (hydrates) below the permafrost are locked up unless the permafrost is perforated, releasing the methane.

Permafrost melting & Drunken Trees Because the Permafrost is melting, these “Drunken Trees” don’t have frozen ground to grow their roots into. This causes heaving and thawing which makes the trees lose stability, making them look “drunken”

Solutions Use the methane as a fuel source Problem: too many rivers/lakes for efficiency Increase the amount of grazing herbivores on the permafrost This would keep the forest young and therefore allow more of the ice/snow covered ground to show. The light color of the ice/snow covered ground has a high reflective quality so it would reflect more sunlight, decreasing the temperature and keeping the permafrost frozen.