PORTFOLIO PART 2

The acidification of the ocean has has a great impact on coral reefs around the world.

Figure A represents healthy coral

Figure B represents unhealthy coral

Ocean acidification is degrading coral reefs around the world.

Here is an example of the degradation of the reefs in the Floida Keys.

Even within the last 30 years the effects of climate change can be seen.

High carbon emissions are directly related to an increase in carbon in the ocean.

The atmospheric carbon is absorbed into the ocean and becomes carbonic acid.

The increase in carbonic acid results in the ocean becoming more acidic. 

Coral reef growth is heavily impacted by increases in acidity.

Levels of ocean acidity have been on a steady rise

Carbonic acid reduces the level of calcium in the ocean when the two react with each other.

Coral and many other forms of marine life rely on calcium to form skeletons and exoskeletons.

20% of coral reefs around the world have already been lost in the last few decades.

250 million people also depend on coral reef ecosystems for their livelihood around the world.

27% of coral reefs are also at risk of completely disappearing in the future as well.

Coral reefs play a large role in the ecosystem of the ocean

Events that are a result of climate change effect reefs in many ways

Coral and other small marine animals like phytoplankton and zooplankton rely on the ability to

form skeletons and exoskeletons  

Coral and these other organisms are also the base of many food chains for ocean life

If the growth of animals at the base of a food chain are impacted it can have 

long reaching consequences to animals higher up in the food chain as well

If you look at this image you can see an example of how large and interconnected 

an ocean ecosystem can be.