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.

The article discusses an outbreak of sea lions on California beaches, and over the West Coast, showing up dead on the beach. This is due to an outbreak of a certain harmful algae named pseudo-nitzschia. This algae creates a harmful amino acid that acts as a neurotoxin and thus kills the sea lions. There was a similar outbreak last year, but it wasn’t nearly as bad. This is happening because there are many things that are allowing the harmful algae to flourish, but one of them is the ocean becoming more acidic. The rising acidity creates an environment more suitable for harmful algae to grow.

This is environmental science because the article discusses the many environmental issues that have all contributed to this devastating algae being able to thrive. In addition, with many sea lions dying, this will affect the ecosystem. This was very interesting because of how many sea lions this algae is taking out and algae isn’t something people typically see as deadly. In addition, I wasn’t aware that rising acidity in an environment can better allow harmful algae to grow.

Cleary, M. (2023, June 28). “It gets worse every day”: why are sea lions and dolphins dying along California’s coast? | California | The Guardian. Amp.theguardian.com. https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/28/california-beaches-sea-lions-dolphins-dead 

This article goes over the worst-case scenarios of ocean acidification where the ocean pH decreases to between 7.8 and 7.9 which means that carbonic ion concentrations would have decreased by at least 50%. This would make oceans nearly inhabitable for ocean animals because most species rely on one another to survive, so even if just a few couldn’t survive those conditions, the ecosystem would likely collapse. It also talks about how ocean acidification is speeding up significantly, with the ocean becoming much more acidic in recent years than in decades previously combined. It also specifically talks about what will happen to a variety of animals as the ocean becomes more acidic and how it will affect other animals.

This is related to environmental science because it talks about the science behind the environmental issue of ocean acidification and not only what it affects, but how and why. In addition, it talks about a specific animal that is being affected and what we need to do to stop what is happening. This was interesting because I know that ocean acidification affects animals and marine life, but I wasn’t sure about specific animals other than sea creatures with shells. So, it was interesting to read about more animals in the ecosystem, how they affect each other, and how the ocean becoming more acidic will affect the ecosystem as a whole. 

Rafferty, J. P. (2023, April 21). ocean acidification. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/ocean-acidification

This article focuses on Washington State and the effects of ocean acidification on marine life in the state. The article says how ocean acidification harms marine life, food security, cultural practices, fisheries, and the shellfish industry, but Washington is combating this and has been since 2018 when it became the first state to start an ocean monitoring program. In addition, they’ve set many different deadlines for how much they want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, though these issues may be hitting Washington harder than other states, these issues they face are seen throughout the country.

This article shows just how much Washington relies on marine life and how detrimental it would be if ocean acidification continued in the direction that it’s going for both marine life and human lives. This is related to environmental science because it talks about an environmental problem, ocean acidification, and addresses the issue and aims to solve it through scientific means and practices. In addition, they are solving these problems through data that they collected and continue to collect.

Flores, M. (2023, June 8). Striving for a resilient ocean on World Ocean Day. Ecology.wa.gov. https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/june-2023/striving-for-a-resilient-ocean-on-world-ocean-day 

This article discusses the steps taken and the steps that will be taken to help combat climate change and its effects on the ocean by the Biden-Harris administration. The article mentions how the US is under the jurisdiction of coastlines throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic oceans, so we need to take steps in order to minimize ocean acidification and harm to marine life. In addition, it talks about the Ocean Climate Action Plan which has the intention of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the US Ocean Acidification Action Plan which intends to reduce carbon emissions as well as ocean research.

This is related to environmental science because it discusses the current problems with how the US is treating the environment and what methods they will take to reduce our carbon footprint through environmental science methods like wind and renewable marine energy. I think that the numerous methods and plans in place make me hopeful that the Biden administration will actually make some progress toward lowering our carbon footprint and reducing ocean acidification.

Ocean Solutions to a More Sustainable World | OSTP. (2023, June 1). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/06/01/ocean-solutions-to-a-more-sustainable-world/

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.