Carbon Chemistry
This molecule forms when atmospheric CO2 dissolves in water
What is carbonic acid
The ALOHA/Mauna Loa time series shows atmospheric CO2CO2 doing this over decades.
What is increasing?
The early, shell-less stage of oysters that drifts in the water column.
What is a larva
A coastal input that can dilute alkalinity and lower local buffering
What is freshwater runoff?
This underwater habitat can photosynthesize and locally remove CO2
What is seagrass?
The reaction H2CO3⇌HCO3−+H3O+ produces this ion that lowers pH
What is hydronium
"The historical ocean pH graph shows regular up-and-down cycles superimposed on this long-term trend
What is a decline (decreasing pH)?
The juvenile that attaches to a hard surface and begins shell building.
What is spat
This nutrient-driven process can increase CO₂ locally and lower pH, especially overnight
What is eutrophication/algal blooms and respiration?
Restoring seagrass near oyster reefs can create these local areas beneficial to larvae.
What are safe zones / higher pH microhabitats?
This ion is required, along with Ca2+, to build shells
"What is carbonate
Seasonal oscillations in pH are most likely caused by changes in this biological process.
What is photosynthesis/respiration?
Which life stage is most sensitive to low carbonate availability?
What is larvae and newly settled spat?
Compared to Delaware Bay, the open Atlantic is generally more of this
What is better buffered?
Two local actions besides seagrass restoration that can help buffering
What is 'reduce nutrient runoff' (or 'protect existing meadows')?
When hydronium reacts with carbonate it makes this species, reducing available carbonate
What is bicarbonate
If atmospheric CO2CO2 rises, dissolved CO2CO2 tends to do this, shifting carbonate equilibria
what is increase/dissolve more into seawater?
Oysters build shells by combining Ca2+ with this ion
What is carbonate?
Give one local action that weakens buffering in bays
What is 'runoff dilution'
Seagrass also stores carbon in this medium, helping long-term carbon management
What is sediments?
Write the equilibrium showing shell dissolution used in the materials
What is CaCO3+H3O+⇌HCO3−+Ca2++H2O
Explain in one phrase why pH decreases when dissolved CO2 increases.
more carbonic acid forms, producing more hydronium ions
Name one reason adult oysters tolerate short-term pH drops better than larvae
they already have substantial shell material
Explain briefly how reduced alkalinity makes shell formation harder
fewer carbonate ions available to combine with calcium to form CaCO₃
Explain why seagrass restoration alone may not fix ocean acidification everywhere
What is 'it creates local benefits but doesn't remove atmospheric CO₂ globally; other drivers and scale limit effectiveness'?