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Abiotic Factors in the Ocean
Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical components of an ecosystem. Within the oceans, many abiotic factors exist and play a big part in them. For example, there is the burning of fossil fuels, the lowering of the pH in the ocean, increased carbon dioxide, dissolved carbon dioxide, and ocean acidification. These factors, along with many others, develop several trends in the oceans. -
Burning of Fossil Fuels
Due to recent human activity, the levels of carbon dioxide emission has notably risen. The burning of fossil fuels continues to play a major role in the growth of carbon dioxide. The carbon overload develops as humans continuously burn coal, oil, gas, and forests. Increased levels of carbon dioxide cause the overall earth's temperature to rise; this is called global warming. While the heat begins in the atmosphere, it can move and cause many conflicts underwater. -
Increased Carbon Dioxide
The temperature of the ocean rises as the amount of carbon dioxide in the air increases. The wind in the atmosphere produces waves and turbulence that allow the water to digest the carbon dioxide. Oceans basically act like enormous reservoirs ready to take in CO2 at any time. Like land plants, oceanic plants take in the CO2 and give off its contaminated oxygen; ultimately spreading it. If humans were to reduce their carbon footprint, excessive carbon dioxide wouldn't spread. -
Dissolved CO2 + Decreasing pH Levels
The ocean absorbs the CO2 and mixes with H2O to form carbonic acid. As carbonic acid is made, the pH level of the ocean decreases and becomes more acidic. The lower the number gets on the pH level scale, the more acidic it is. 300 million years ago, the pH level of the ocean remained around 8.2. Nowadays, research shows it is around 8.1. Although the difference seems to not be drastic, just a decrease of as little as 0.1 pH units hugely affects the organisms in the seas. -
Ocean Acidification
Sea urchins and corals are organisms in the oceans that get deeply influenced by the gradual ocean acidification. Acidity affects the sea urchins because when the ocean becomes excessively acidic, the amount of calcium carbonate lowers, which gives less material for sea animals to form their shells. Coral branches become thinner and weaker over time because of acidification. This is because the warm, acidic water stresses coral and causes them to expel algae living in their tissue. -
Coyotes in the City
Changes are made in the ocean due to outside abiotic and biotic factors in the ecosystem. The same applies to coyotes in the city who are forced to adapt to the changes. Both of these ecosystems share something common; they've had to adapt due to the choices humans make. The burning of fossil fuels done by humans causes the CO2 to rise, hurting the ocean. By taking the land of coyotes, coyotes are forced to come into cities where their homes used to be.
