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http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0715_040715_oceancarbon.html
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Around half of all carbon dioxide produced by humans since the industrial revolution has dissolved into the world's oceans—with adverse effects for marine life—according to two new studies.
Scientists who undertook the first comprehensive look at ocean storage of carbon dioxide found that the world's oceans serve as a massive sink that traps the greenhouse gas. [continued]
The researchers say the oceans' removal of the carbon dioxide from Earth's atmosphere has slowed global warming.
But in a second, related study, scientists say the sink effect is now changing ocean chemistry. The resulting change has slowed growth of plankton, corals, and other invertebrates that serve as the most basic level of the ocean food chain. The impacts on marine life could be severe, scientists say.
Oceans absorb carbon dioxide through a process called ocean acidification. This is when the carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean water and reacts with it to form carbonic acid, which is then broken down into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions. This process helps to regulate the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and acts as a natural carbon sink.
Excessive levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contribute to climate change and ocean acidification. The oceans act as a natural carbon sink, absorbing a significant portion of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities. This helps to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent further acidification of the oceans.
This study provides further evidence that the oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. By absorbing half of the man-made carbon dioxide emissions, the oceans are helping to slow down the rate of climate change. However, this also means that the oceans are becoming more acidic, which can have detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems.
If the oceans were to reach their maximum capacity for absorbing carbon dioxide, the excess carbon dioxide would remain in the atmosphere and contribute to increased global warming. This could lead to more severe and frequent natural disasters, rising sea levels, and widespread damage to ecosystems and human communities.
The most effective way to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by oceans is to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved through various means such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient practices, and reducing deforestation. Additionally, efforts to protect and restore marine ecosystems can also help to mitigate the effects of ocean acidification.