1 Ocean Acidification Will the reef survive?

2 The burning of fossil fuels releases 11 BILLION TONS of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.

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4 Carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, where it causes a potentially more serious problem  ocean acidification. Hoegh-Gulderg et al. 2007

5 Ocean acidification poses a threat to shell-forming organisms like corals and calcifying plankton.

6 The pH Scale A small change in pH is equal to a LARGE change in acidity. ACIDS BASES

7 CO 2 + H 2 O CO 2 + CO H 2 O carbonate ions Carbonic acid reduces ocean pH. The concentration of carbonate ions decreases. H 2 CO 3 carbonic acid 2HCO 3 – bicarbonate ions

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11 Yeast

12 LabQuest Carbon Dioxide Probe pH Probe Yeast Experiment

13 Yeast Experiment Add sugar and yeast to water. Yeast will produce carbon dioxide.

14 Yeast Experiment Carbon Dioxide Set-up pH Set-up Yeast growing on sugar and water Carbon dioxide gas Carbon dioxide gas dissolved in water