Ocean Acidification Jeopardy!

Chemistry & Causes

100

This gas dissolves into seawater and forms carbonic acid.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

150

What percentage of atmospheric CO2 do the oceans absorb? 

Around 30%

200

These ions are essential for the shells of certain aquatic organisms. Instead, hydrogen ions are "stealing" them. 

Carbonate ions (CO3^-2)

250

This modern process is causing factories to emit increasing amounts of CO2 into the air. 

Industrialization

The Reefs

100

This process describes corals turning white due to stress from acidification (and warming waters). 

Bleaching

150

Apart from slowing coral growth, what do low pH levels do to existing coral skeletons? 

The acidity dissolves them.

200

This organism lives inside coral tissue, providing the animal with energy from photosynthesis

Zooxanthellea

250

This coral genus is among the most diverse but also among the most sensitive to acidification. Half of its population has died in the Philippines since 2016. 

Acropora

Shelled Creatures

100

True or False: Oysters and mussels find it harder to grow their shells in more acidic water.

True

150

Between mussels and oysters, which is expected to lose more shell growth by 2100?

Mussels (25%)

200

Name an implication of decreased shell integrity for mussels OR oysters

mussels: can't hold on as well to rocks

oysters: struggle to begin the process of shell growth.

250

This type of shell material, used by urchins and starfish, dissolves faster than regular calcium carbonate

Magnisium calcite

Real World Impacts

100

Compared to other oceans, how much faster are California's waters acidifying? 

2x / twice as fast

150

Name one of the three main species that is becoming rarer in California's waters. 

Spiny lobster, market crab, or dungenous crab

200

In Pawalan, coral populations have decreased by over ___ % over the last decade. 

30

250

Roughly what percentage of Palawan's economy relies on tourism tied to its reefs? 

25%