Ocean acidification harms marine species in various ecosystems. It harms many marine species that rely on carbonate-based shells and those with high sensitivity to acid. Acidification also affects the complex food webs in the ocean. For instance, other marine species high on the food web feed on the ones with high sensitivity.
Calcifying organisms are marine animals that use calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. These marine species include coral reefs, plankton, oysters, etc. Ocean acidification breaks existing shells and skeletons and makes creating a new one challenging because of the ocean's limited calcium carbonate.
Their shells become weak and vulnerable to damage from external factors, which weakens their recovery rates. For example, sea urchins help protect coral reefs from algae. However, they can't in acidic coastal areas because their weak protective shells make them more vulnerable to predators.
It also disrupts the food web because calcifying organisms prey on other animals. Some fish species are vulnerable to ocean acidification. Fish eggs and larvae might find it challenging to grow, develop, and survive in acidic oceans. An example is the clownfish larvae, which showed a reduced sense of smell in acidic marine environments, leading to risky swimming behaviors.
Username: Meherbaan Published on 2024-12-10 13:07:35 ID NUMBER: 126446
Ocean acidification results from a chemical reaction caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Many human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, various land uses, and manufacturing practices, release tons of C02 into the atmosphere. These carbon emissions don’t stay in the atmosphere.
Plants and the oceans absorb carbon dioxide. The world’s oceans absorb 30% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, causing an increase in ocean acidity. An increase in the ocean’s pH directly impacts excess carbon pollution from burning fossil fuels. The ocean absorbs one-third of the carbon released from burning fossil fuels.
The pH scale is from 0 to 14; anything over 7 is alkaline, and anything below 7 is acidic. More hydrogen ions lead to higher acidity and a lower pH. As seawater absorbs carbon dioxide, it forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is a weak acid that separates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions, increasing its acidity.
Before the industrial revolution began, seawater's pH was 8.2. In the 21st century, it dropped by 0.1 pH units to 8.1. Scientists predict surface ocean waters will become more acidic by 21002, falling to 7.8. 7.8 makes the ocean 150 times more acidic.
Human activities that produce carbon dioxide cause ocean acidification. Some examples are deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and burning fossil fuels.
Deforestation is one of the significant causes of carbon dioxides in the atmosphere. We cut down trees and clear forest areas to make room for buildings, agricultural land use, construction, and manufacturing purposes, leading to the absence of trees and greenery to soak carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Most of the farmlands on earth used to be part of a great expanse of forests. China lost most of its forested areas in the past 4000 years, while we cut down most of the trees in North America from the 1600s to the 1870s for construction, timber, and agriculture. We are destroying most of the remaining tropical rainforests to construct roads connecting inaccessible regions.
Forests and other green ecosystems play a unique role in preventing the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere. They sequester carbon, meaning they are like a sponge, soaking carbon from the air. Trees absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, preventing the environment from overheating.
Deforestation strips the environment of forests’ sequestering benefits. As we cut and burn down trees, we release the carbon stored in the tree while increasing the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Deforestation produces 4.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. The increase causes a chain reaction, creating more acidic waters1.
Fewer trees are in the environment to absorb the carbon dioxide released into the air. So, it accumulates in the air, leading to ocean acidification and increasing its impact on ocean life.
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable energy sources used to generate electricity, heating, and transportation over the past two decades. The extraction and use of fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas contribute to the carbon dioxide in the air.
We use these fuels to produce energy in various manufacturing companies, to produce electricity, and to power big engines. We also use them to cook and provide heat when it's cold. We also use them to power transport systems like buses, cars, airplanes, and ships.
Burning crude oil, coal, and natural gas produces enormous amounts of carbon dioxide in the air, making it the most significant contributor to global warming. In 2022, 81% of the United States' energy comes from coal, natural gas, and crude oil, so you can imagine the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere daily.
Fossil fuels contribute the most CO2 to the air. In 2023, the fossil fuel industry released 36.8 billion tons of carbon, with the United States being the world’s second carbon emitter after China4.
Ocean acidification harms marine species in various ecosystems. It harms many marine species that rely on carbonate-based shells and those with high sensitivity to acid. Acidification also affects the complex food webs in the ocean. For instance, other marine species high on the food web feed on the ones with high sensitivity.
Calcifying organisms are marine animals that use calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. These marine species include coral reefs, plankton, oysters, etc. Ocean acidification breaks existing shells and skeletons and makes creating a new one challenging because of the ocean's limited calcium carbonate.
Their shells become weak and vulnerable to damage from external factors, which weakens their recovery rates. For example, sea urchins help protect coral reefs from algae. However, they can't in acidic coastal areas because their weak protective shells make them more vulnerable to predators.
It also disrupts the food web because calcifying organisms prey on other animals. Some fish species are vulnerable to ocean acidification. Fish eggs and larvae might find it challenging to grow, develop, and survive in acidic oceans. An example is the clownfish larvae, which showed a reduced sense of smell in acidic marine environments, leading to risky swimming behaviors.
Ocean acidification harms marine species in various ecosystems. It harms many marine species that rely on carbonate-based shells and those with high sensitivity to acid. Acidification also affects the complex food webs in the ocean. For instance, other marine species high on the food web feed on the ones with high sensitivity.
Calcifying organisms are marine animals that use calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. These marine species include coral reefs, plankton, oysters, etc. Ocean acidification breaks existing shells and skeletons and makes creating a new one challenging because of the ocean's limited calcium carbonate.
Their shells become weak and vulnerable to damage from external factors, which weakens their recovery rates. For example, sea urchins help protect coral reefs from algae. However, they can't in acidic coastal areas because their weak protective shells make them more vulnerable to predators.
It also disrupts the food web because calcifying organisms prey on other animals. Some fish species are vulnerable to ocean acidification. Fish eggs and larvae might find it challenging to grow, develop, and survive in acidic oceans. An example is the clownfish larvae, which showed a reduced sense of smell in acidic marine environments, leading to risky swimming behaviors.
This is a million-dollar question. What is certain is that, over the past few years, sustainability has become one of the most relevant topics in many sectors. The increasing perishment of the planet has raised many questions about our future. Constant debates are in progress worldwide, and companies and people have committed to finding the best solution to achieve sustainability. Innovation and digital transformation appear to be significant strategies that involve disparate sectors and markets.
1. High water consumption
Cultivating an avocado plantation, usually in tropical climates, requires a considerable amount of water. One kilogram of avocado requires 0.75 tons of water. When comparing this water consumption to other fruits like bananas, it is about seven times more than they need.
A study measured water consumption rates of avocados, bananas, and pineapples and found that a kilogram of avocado requires 40 times more water than a kilogram of pineapple1. Other studies conducted in regions used for avocado plantations show that they experience water scarcity due to the excessive amount of water used to farm avocados.
Avocado trees cannot be grown on a large commercial scale without irrigation. Fortunately, irrigation reduces the necessary water intake by 20%.
Despite the attempts at regulating the amount of water consumed by avocado fruits, its impact on the surrounding environment is undeniable. It is a leading cause of water scarcity in some regions.
2. Deforestation
The increase in the demand for avocados globally led to massive avocado production. Farmers require large portions of land to produce enough for the increased global markets for avocados. However, these demands cause damage to the environment.
Avocado producers contribute to deforestation while trying to acquire more land space for avocado farming. They often burn forests and cut down trees to make space for more avocado trees. A report by Global Forest Watch states that 98% of deforestation in Mexico occurs because of agricultural expansions.
The report also shows the number of tree covers lost to fire. In 2021, Mexico lost about 340Kha of land to fire outbreaks. This record is relatively normal given that about 3.8Mha of land was lost to fire eruptions in 2011. Also, over 40,000 deforestation alert reports were recorded in Mexico between the 26th of July 2022 and the 2nd of August 2022.
In return for cutting down forest trees, we experience intense climate change. Also, avocado cultivation can't atone for the loss of the other trees cut down because the avocado tree absorbs minimal amounts of carbon.
3. Monoculture
Monoculture is the practice of farming one crop repeatedly. Avocado production is a monoculture crop that harms the soil by striping the earth of its nutrients. It also reduces the organic matter in the soil and can cause soil erosion.
To combat the loss of soil nutrients, farmers use synthetic fertilizers to produce crops. The herbicides used to maintain the health of avocado trees cause long-term damage to the soil. It also puts pollinators at risk of extinction, like the Monarch butterfly in Mexico.
Avocado monoculture also alters the microbial landscape of the soil, leading to poor crop growth. Heavy industrialization causes avocado monoculture crops and plantations to leave a heavy trail of carbon and water footprints in the environment.
4. High carbon footprint
This refers to the greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans and other activities. Avocado is a heavily imported crop to the US, producing a significant carbon footprint during transportation.
Research by It's Fresh! found in 2017 that two avocados emit 846g of Co2. A Mexican avocado makes a long polluting journey to parts of the world where it is consumed, traveling over 5000 miles to reach the UK. These significant food miles all add to the negative impact of avocados on the environment.
In the long run, C02 emissions exacerbate global warming and climate change. The heightened demand for avocados will only damage the environment more.
5. Non-biodegradable packaging
Producers use non-biodegradable packaging to protect avocados during transportation. Non-biodegradable packaging includes plastic bags and boxes lined with plastic. These materials are not recyclable, increasing the state of plastic pollution in the area.
6. Socio-Economic Problems
The global demand for avocado fruit hurts the local food security of major producing countries.
Ocean acidification harms marine species in various ecosystems. It harms many marine species that rely on carbonate-based shells and those with high sensitivity to acid. Acidification also affects the complex food webs in the ocean. For instance, other marine species high on the food web feed on the ones with high sensitivity.
Calcifying organisms are marine animals that use calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. These marine species include coral reefs, plankton, oysters, etc. Ocean acidification breaks existing shells and skeletons and makes creating a new one challenging because of the ocean's limited calcium carbonate.
Their shells become weak and vulnerable to damage from external factors, which weakens their recovery rates. For example, sea urchins help protect coral reefs from algae. However, they can't in acidic coastal areas because their weak protective shells make them more vulnerable to predators.
It also disrupts the food web because calcifying organisms prey on other animals. Some fish species are vulnerable to ocean acidification. Fish eggs and larvae might find it challenging to grow, develop, and survive in acidic oceans. An example is the clownfish larvae, which showed a reduced sense of smell in acidic marine environments, leading to risky swimming behaviors.
The high demand for palm oil increased the acres of palm oil plantations and other oil crops. Oil palm plantations grow on extensive areas of tropical forests with diverse species of trees.
West House is one of Brown’s Environmental Program Houses (along with our up-the-block neighbor North House), well known for it’s vegetarian food community. Residents and out-of-house members make up a fun and loving group committed to environmentalism, eating locally, social justice, building community, and – some of us more than others – strawberry yogurt.
Stop by any of our open dinners to get to know us better! Every Thursday @ 6:30 (during the school year), we meet at North House (111 Brown Street) and open our community up to the world with enticing dishes of lentils, squash, and quinoa. No invite is necessary – and we will serve as many as we can until the food runs out. If you show up late, you might miss the food – but certainly not good company!
We are located at 91 Brown Street, on the corner of Brown St. and Meeting St.
Want to know more? Here’s What We Do.
Spiritual growth is an inward journey that involves deepening self-awareness, a connection to a higher purpose, and a pursuit of inner peace and enlightenment. Though one might perceive spiritual growth as purely internal, the environment plays an instrumental role in shaping this voyage.
