Gromal , H. (2023, October 17). Ocean acidification indicators for the global surface ocean. CISESS. https://cisess.umd.edu/ocean-acidification-indicators-for-the-global-surface-ocean/ 

The article highlights a groundbreaking study on ocean acidification (OA) indicators in the global surface ocean, spanning from 1750 to 2100. Using a “model-data fusion product” based on Earth System Models and observational data, the study explores ten OA indicators, offering climatologies and atlases as a baseline for future assessments. The research aids OA studies at regional and global scales, providing important information for mitigation and adaptation efforts in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and marine resources. The study contributes significantly to understanding OA’s evolution and guiding strategies for addressing its impact. 

This article reveals a breakthrough that not only contributes to the fight against ocean acidification but also contributes to Environmental science as a whole. I found it extremely interesting to learn about the various models and data types that are formed to express the issues with the ocean. Furthermore, the promising impact of these new indicators is enlightening to see. 

Denton, S. (2023, November 30). Climate explained: Ocean Acidification. Save the Sound. https://www.savethesound.org/2023/10/23/climate-explained-ocean-acidification/ 

The article discusses ocean acidification, a consequence of heightened carbon dioxide absorption by the ocean, leading to decreased water pH. Worsened by human activities, acidification poses threats to marine life, affecting species diversity and hindering shell and skeleton formation. Deoxygenation, linked to acidification, further amplifies environmental concerns. The Long Island Sound experiences accelerated acidification, emphasizing the need for both global and localized mitigation efforts. Solutions include emissions reduction, eelgrass restoration, and green infrastructure projects. The article underscores the urgency of addressing ocean acidification’s global and regional impacts on coastal ecosystems. 

As the article’s main focus is ocean acidification it discusses important parts of Environmental science. It also introduces an interesting aspect such as Deoxygenation which also contributes significantly to ocean acidification. I found this article slightly disruptive because it introduced a new issue that I was not previously familiar with. Although, it’s motivating to see the research that is going into solving these issues. 

Cornwall, W. (2023, November 30). Climate crisis sparks effort to coax oceans to suck up carbon dioxide … Science. https://www.science.org/content/article/climate-crisis-sparks-effort-coax-oceans-suck-carbon-dioxide 

This article explores the growing interest in ocean alkalinity enhancement as a potential strategy to combat climate change. Focusing on an experiment in Halifax Harbor, the research involves pouring alkaline substances into seawater to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into bicarbonate. Scientists see this method as a promising carbon capture solution with fewer risks than alternatives. However, challenges include measuring the actual carbon capture, potential environmental side effects, and uncertainties about the long-term impact. The article emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific evaluation before the widespread implementation of large-scale ocean alkalinity enhancement projects.

The article explains new ways to remove carbon dioxide from seawater, this could directly help ocean acidification as less CO2 means less ocean acidification. Therefore, the article goes hand in hand with environmental science and more specifically ocean acidification. Personally, I found this article to be refreshing since the discovery of new techniques to counteract climate change is always good to hear. 

Gomezan , W. (2023, August 6). Quality of pH Measurements in the NODC Data Archives. Quality of ph measurements in the NODC Data Archives. https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/Quality+of+pH+Measurements+in+the+NODC+Data+Archives 

The article emphasizes the challenges in measuring ocean acidification due to small pH changes in global oceans. Anthropogenic CO2 has caused a 0.1 pH decrease over the past century, impacting hydrogen ion concentration. Historical pH data, particularly pre-1989, lacks documentation and metadata, leading to uncertain quality. Early measurement methods faced calibration issues, contributing to uncertainties. Post-1990 improvements, driven by international efforts, include rigorous procedures, reference materials, and standardized reporting. High-quality data since the 1990s, supported by advanced spectrophotometric methods, enable more accurate tracking of ocean pH changes, crucial for scientific assessments like the IPCC AR5 Working Group 1 Report Chapter 3.

The measurement of PH in our ocean is very important and essential to counteracting ocean acidification because if we do not find a way to accurately measure the PH we would not know how to effectively counter it. This displays the relevance of the article to ocean acidification and also the new issue it addresses. Personally, I found this article almost surprising because it had never occurred to me the difficulty of measuring the worldwide oceans’ PH level and the importance of it. 

Terhaar4, J., Frölicher1, T. L., Joos1, F., https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9377-415X, J. T., https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2348-7854, T. L. F., & https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9483-6030, F. J. (2023, July 2). IOPscience. Environmental Research Letters. 

This study explores the implications of achieving and overshooting the Paris Agreement temperature targets on ocean acidification. Using an Adaptive Emission Reduction Approach (AERA) and Earth system models, the research examines different scenarios, considering uncertainties in transient climate response and non-CO2 radiative agents. Results highlight substantial uncertainty in future ocean acidification rates based on emission reduction choices. Surface pH projections vary significantly, emphasizing the importance of addressing uncertainties when assessing the impact of climate policies on ocean acidification in a stabilized climate. The study underscores the need for comprehensive models in informing climate-related policy decisions.

The article incorporates important strategies and models for the prevention of CO2 in our atmosphere; seeing as ocean acidification is directly correlated to the CO2 emissions in our atmosphere this article proves very relevant to ocean acidification. Furthermore, the article makes an explicit call to action for the increase of comprehensive models which I agree with because these models can help illustrate and inform climate-related policy decisions.

Meszaros, J. (2023, February 6). Scientists from the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba met to start combating acidification in the Gulf of Mexico. wusf public media. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from  https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2022-12-06/scientists-us-mexico-cuba-com at-acidification-gulf-of-Mexico

International scientists from the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba gathered to study ocean acidification, caused by carbon dioxide altering water pH. While acidity isn’t dire in the Gulf now, it could worsen due to climate change, endangering the $2.04 trillion marine economy. Acidification makes marine life structures fragile, affecting oysters, shrimps, and corals. Different regions will face diverse impacts and seasons. Representatives held the Gulf of Mexico International Ocean Acidification Summit to share ideas. Ocean acidification is a hidden climate change impact, prompting scientists to create a report for decision-makers. This meeting sets a foundation for ongoing collaboration.

Many environmental scientists took part in this meeting illustrating the relation that the article has to environmental science because the main idea of the article is the health of the marine life in the gulf. Elaborating further on Ocean acidification being more of a hidden issue in today’s craze about climate change, I agree with Jorge Brenner the executive director of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System statement that Ocean acidification is a hidden thread of climate change since it isn’t visually obvious how the water is being impacted. 

Flores, M. (2023, June 8). Striving for a resilient ocean on World Ocean Day. Department of Ecology State of Washington. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/june-2023/striving-for-a-resilient-ocean-on-world-ocean-day

Although ocean acidification isn’t visible to the naked eye, the impacts can be observed on the state of our coastal communities and marine life in the united states. Ocean acidification has proved to be quite dangerous to Washington State in particular because of its dependence on marine life. In 2018 the first-ever Ocean acidification monitoring program was released in the U.S, this was in response to the government making an effort to reduce gas emissions. 

The text highlights the vital role the ocean plays in sustaining life on Earth, regulating climate, and providing resources for various sectors like food, culture, and industry. The article discusses how the ocean absorbs carbon pollution, and the process that then leads to the increased acidification of the ocean. Making it a familiar topic of environmental science since it directly speaks about the ocean. I agree with the steps that the U.S government is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and I hope that this will become a synonymous process with all countries. 

Weiss, M. (2023, June 28). Is Acid Rain a Thing of the Past? Science. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.science.org/content/article/acid-rain-thing-past

Acid rain was a horrible problem in the 1970s, it deprived plants of nutrients and dissolved aluminum-rich minerals spreading harmful elements to plants. To take action the U.S. created strict laws and regulations to decrease the emissions. By 2003 acid rain had decreased by 40%, to test if the soil had improved Gregory Lawrence tested soil at multiple sites. He found that the soil had improved but just not in the way he expected. Due to the decreased amounts of calcium which came from the aluminum released by the acid rain plants had become more sensitive to acid rain.

Marissa Weiss effectively proves the impacts of acid rain on the plants and the soil by explaining how acid rain deprives plants of a key nutrient. This is an important part of environmental science as it references the ecological influence caused by acid rain. The article raised the question to me of how big of a problem is acid rain in today’s world, as explained in a past paragraph Ocean acidification can have a huge impact on the problem, but does acid rain contain the same dangers? Later in the article when it is mentioned China has reached sulfur dioxide emissions that have never been reached before (not even by the U.S. at its peak emissions), I wondered why they haven’t made an effort to reduce said emissions.

Doney, S. (2023, June 1). Ocean solutions to a more sustainable world. The White House. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/06/01/ocean-solutions-to-a-more-sustainable-world/

During this year’s Nation Ocean Month, the US is reaffirming the importance of the ocean. Therefore a new U.S Ocean Climate Action Plan is being released to protect ocean health and address the climate crisis, the plan also involves engaging tribal nations to help build off Indigenous knowledge. One of the main goals is to reduce greenhouse gases that are responsible for ocean acidification. In a further attempt to counteract this a U.S Ocean Acidification Action Plan is also being implemented. 

Scott Doney explains the steps the U.S. is taking to combat Ocean acidification and sea level rise, the article provides a reassuring future for the ocean if the various plans mentioned turn out to be effective. The article relates heavily to environmental science since it talks about the climatic changes in the Ocean. A part of the article that intrigued me was the implementation of Indigenous knowledge to find better ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It seems like a different approach than a government may usually take to combat a modern problem such as climate change. Seeing the different approaches the U.S. is taking gives hope that these issues can be solved.

Flesher, J. (2023, January 6). Scientists: Atmospheric carbon might turn lakes more acidic. GreatLakesNow. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/01/ap-atmospheric-carbon-lakes-more-acidic/

Lakes around the US, specifically the great lakes in Michigan, have been suffering from increased acidity due to increased atmospheric build-up of carbon. Scientists are building a sensor network to track water chemistry trends to counter this. Errera a research ecologist with NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in 

Ann Arbor, Michigan claims that the chemical change has an unknown effect on the location and spawn of the fish. Acidification could also deteriorate shipwrecks resting on the bottom. Despite nations theoretically doing their best to cut down their emissions, big lakes will most likely still acidify. Studies have shown examples of acidification harming development in fish, but the size of the issue is still unknown. 

This article offers an overview of the challenges and impact that ocean or lake acidification can have on fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. Ocean acidification is an overlooked side effect of climate change, despite it being a potentially huge issue around the world. The article made me think about how ocean acidification could impact the overall health of fish and perhaps even make them dangerous to consume. Furthermore, it made me confused as to why this issue isn’t more known in today’s society.