CO2 Problems

A short chemistry show demonstrating the environmental chemistry of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon dioxide has opaque bands in the infrared region. This means that, when atmospheric CO2 levels rise ( http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/#mlo_full ), the thermal properties of the atmosphere change, causing rising temperatures at the surface. This phenomenon (global warming) and its broader climatic results (climate change) have held the public's eye, though a slick PR campaign has spread unjustified doubt as to its reality.

A less well-known fact is that CO2 is acidic when dissolved in water. ( http://topologicoceans.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/ocean-acidification-a-primer/ ) Fairly simple chemistry tells us that increases in atmospheric CO2 will lead to increases in dissolved CO2, making the solution more acidic. This process is called acidification.

This phenomenon has been observed and recorded (eg, http://www.pnas.org/content/106/30/12235 ); it is a concern especially for calcifying organisms like corals.

Charlie Soeder uses a pH indicator dye to illustrate ocean acidification, 'The Other CO2 Problem', as it has been called. There is also a fun moment with food coloring and dishwashing detergent!

The paper cited at the end (Veron et al) is available here: https://static.zsl.org/files/1c-the-coral-reef-crisis-the-critical-importance...

More information on the environmental science and the politics of ocean acidification can be found:

Assorted resources and analysis of bad geochemistry http://topologicoceans.wordpress.com/category/oceans/acidification/
"The Political Economy of AntiScience" http://arkfab.org/?p=276
Euopean Project on Ocean Acidification: http://epoca-project.eu/
NOAA on Ocean Acidification: http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/Ocean+Acidification
EPOCA's 'Information Outlet' http://oceanacidification.wordpress.com/

Some of the opposition - we find a lot of it to be quite questionable:
SeaFriends: http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/global/acid.htm
The Heartland Institute: http://www.heartland.org/custom/semod_policybot/pdf/26709.pdf
ClimateChangeFacts: http://www.climatechangefacts.info/#OceanAcidification

Big House Records can currently be found here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/TheBigHouseRecords/189534467760208

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• carbon dioxide
• ocean acidification
• climate
• climate change
• environmental science
• climate change controversy
• politics
• politics of science
• politics of climate change
• antiscience
• arkfab
• corals
• coral bleaching

[alohahoward1]

I get it! If one drops a piece of frozen C02 into the pacific ocean and the piece is about 1/8 the volume of the ocean, we will have an ocean with a lower PH.

[ArkFabInnovation]

@alohahoward1 *Any* addition of CO2 to the ocean will lower its pH, though how much it is lowered depends on the amount added. As noted in the video description, fossil fuel emissions have already lowered the ocean's pH, and will continue to do so in the future.

[jehbaker]

Nice shark!