What causes ocean acidification?
A. Acidic oxygen dissolves in water, raising the water's pH
B. Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, lowering the water's pH
C. Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, raising the water's pH
D. Acidic oxygen dissolves in water, lowering the water's pH
B. Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, lowering the water's pH
Ocean acidification is primarily caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the ocean. When carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers the ocean's pH. This process is harmful to marine life, particularly organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, as acidification makes it more difficult for them to access the materials they need.