Ocean warming and acidification are different phenomenal occurrences. However, they both interact on the detriment of the marine ecosystems. With the excess of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere due to deforestation
and burning fossil fuels, the oceans are absorbing more CO2. The rate at which water absorbs CO2 decreases as water
temperature increases. What can one infer about ocean temperatures and ocean acidification rate?
A)
The cooler polar waters can absorb more CO2
than the warmer tropic waters. Therefore,
the warmer tropic waters are acidifying faster.
B)
The warmer tropic waters are able to take up more CO2
than the cooler polar
regions. The warmer tropic waters are acidifying at a faster rate.
o
The temperature of the ocean does not influence its ability to absorb CO2
Ocean acidification is not influenced by the ability to absorb the CO2
D)
The cooler polar regions are able to take up more CO 2 than the warmer tropis
waters. The polar waters are acidifying at a faster rate. The tropic waters are releasing more CO, into the
atmosphere instead of absorbing it.