ocean acidification
OH-shun as-ih-dih-fih-KAY-shun
ˈoʊʃən æsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃənListen
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Dictionary meaning
the ongoing decrease in the pH of Earth's oceans caused by the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide; oceans absorb approximately 30 percent of human carbon dioxide emissions, and when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater it forms carbonic acid, which releases hydrogen ions that lower pH; since the Industrial Revolution ocean pH has fallen from 8.2 to approximately 8.1, representing a 30 percent increase in acidity; this disrupts the ability of marine organisms such as corals, oysters, and pteropods to form calcium carbonate shells and skeletons
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