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Chapter 20: Problem 38

What is the correlation between ocean \(\mathrm{pH}\) and atmospheric \(\mathrm{CO}_{2} ?\) (a) As \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) increases, the pH decreases. (b) As \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) increases, the pH also increases. (c) As \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) increases, the pH does not change.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) As \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) increases, the pH decreases.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Relationship

Discuss the relationship between atmospheric \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) and ocean \(\mathrm{pH}\). When atmospheric \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) increases, more \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) dissolves in the oceans. This leads to the formation of carbonic acid, which decreases the pH, making the ocean more acidic.
02

Analyze the Options

Evaluate the given options and their implications:- (a) As \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) increases, the pH decreases: this suggests a negative correlation as more \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) acidifies the ocean.- (b) As \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) increases, the pH also increases: this suggests a positive correlation which contradicts scientific understanding.- (c) As \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) increases, the pH does not change: this implies no correlation.Given the scientific understanding, option (a) is most accurate.
03

Conclude the Relationship

Summarize the conclusion based on the analysis. The correct correlation between atmospheric \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) and ocean \(\mathrm{pH}\) is negative. As \(\mathrm{CO}_2\) increases, the \(\mathrm{pH}\) value decreases, indicating more acidity in the ocean waters.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Atmospheric CO2
Atmospheric CO鈧� refers to the carbon dioxide present in Earth鈥檚 atmosphere. This gas plays a crucial role in maintaining the planet鈥檚 energy balance by trapping heat. However, human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation have significantly increased its levels over the past century.

When elevated, these CO鈧� levels do not stay contained within the atmosphere. They interact with the world鈥檚 oceans, affecting marine life and water chemistry via the process called ocean acidification.
pH Levels
pH is a scale that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14.
  1. Values below 7 indicate acidity,
  2. values above 7 indicate alkalinity,
  3. and a pH of 7 means neutral.
In the context of oceans, the natural pH typically hovers around 8.1, which is slightly alkaline.

However, rising atmospheric CO鈧� levels are slowly decreasing this pH value. As pH lowers, it means the ocean is becoming more acidic, posing threats to marine ecosystems.
Carbonic Acid Formation
When atmospheric CO鈧� dissolves in seawater, it leads to the formation of carbonic acid. The reaction can be represented as:
\( \mathrm{CO}_2 + \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{CO}_3 \)
This carbonic acid further dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions:
\( \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{CO}_3 \rightarrow \mathrm{HCO}_3^- + \mathrm{H}^+ \)

The increase of hydrogen ions (H鈦�) in the water leads to lower pH, making the ocean more acidic. This process directly links increased atmospheric CO鈧� to ocean acidification through chemical reactions.
Negative Correlation
A negative correlation is a statistical relationship where one variable increases as the other decreases. In this context, as atmospheric CO鈧� increases, ocean pH levels decrease.

This inverse relationship highlights the detrimental effects of rising CO鈧� on ocean chemistry.
The higher the concentration of CO鈧� in the atmosphere, the more acidic the oceans become. Understanding this negative correlation is essential as it implies significant challenges for marine life and ecosystems dependent on stable pH levels in the ocean.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The refrigerating liquids in air conditioners and refrigerators are largely chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Among the latter family of compounds is the refrigerant HCFC-22 \(\left(\mathrm{HCClF}_{2}\right)\). A problem with the use of HCFC-22 is that HFC-23 (trifluoromethane, HCF \(_{3}\) ), a gas with high-global-warming potential, is a byproduct of its production (and also from the production of the widely used polymer Teflon). Discarding HFC-23 safely can be a problem. However, recently a method has been developed to convert it to the valuable catalyst trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, \(\mathrm{CF}_{3} \mathrm{SO}_{3} \mathrm{H}\). Draw an electron dot structure for the acid (which you can think of as sulfuric acid with a \(\mathrm{CF}_{3}\) group in place of one OH group). Indicate the geometry around the \(\mathrm{C}\) and \(\mathrm{S}\) atoms. What is the hybridization of these two atoms?

Various reagents are added to water supplies to kill pathogens and make the water safe to drink. Among the substances listed below, which does not serve that function? (a) \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{O}_{3}\) (c) \(\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{ClO})_{2}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}\)

Which of the following statements is not correct? (a) Phosphates enhance the growth of algae in surface water. (b) Melting of the polar ice cap will result in a rise in sea levels. (c) Heavy metal toxicity can result from the presence of metal compounds of lead, cadmium, and mercury in water supplies. (d) Reverse osmosis is a good way to effect desalination.

Define the terms renewable and nonrenewable as applied to energy resources. Which of the following energy resources are renewable: solar energy, coal, natural gas, geothermal energy, wind power?

What is the likelihood that hydrogen \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{2}\right)\) will become a widely used fuel and that the "hydrogen economy" will become a reality? In particular, what are the advantages and disadvantages of \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) as a fuel? What would be necessary for a significant conversion to a "hydrogen economy"?
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