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Abiotic and Biotic Factors
There are many factors that can hurt or help an ecosystem. Generally, abiotic factors are not alive which is like temperature, natural disaster, habitat space, and water. Some biotic factors are predators, prey, and plants. These factors can help or hurt an ecosystem depending on what it is. For an example, carbon dioxide emissions can increase the greenhouse gas effect, hurting some organisms. -
Ocean's pH
pH stands for potential hydrogen. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 0-6 is considered acidic, 8 is neutral, and 9-14 is an alkaline. Before the Industrial revolution, the average pH level of the ocean was 8.2. -
The Industrial Revolution
1760 marks the start of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution was the increased of productivity using new machinery. This event is the beginning of what will become a future of using energy and creating carbon emissions. -
Increased Carbon Dioxide
By 2000, it is obvious to scientist that different carbon emissions have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In 2000, the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere was about 370 parts per million. Climate change is now a big problems humans face. -
CO2 --> Ocean
Carbon dioxide created by humans, using cars, is absorbed into the ocean. Then, the carbon dioxide is combined with water, H2O. Together, these molecules create carbonic acid. Carbonic acid lowers the pH of the ocean. -
Large Amounts of Carbonic Acid
Large amounts of carbon acid combine with hydrogen ions released to create bicarbonate. The more carbonic acid, the more acidic the ocean is and more bicarbonate created. Calcifiers though, need the carbonate for their shells. The carbonate and calcium combined together creates calcium carbonate which calcifiers use for their skeletons. -
Calcifiers
The lack of calcium carbonate in the ocean makes the shells of different calcifies weaker. Take example coral. Coral uses calcium carbonate for their skeletons. Weaker shells means it will be harder for the coral to survive. -
Today
Today, there are multiple sources of carbon emissions. Different factories can emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. One very big factor is cars. Everyone drives a car in 2019. With all the cars on the road, the amount of carbon dioxide constantly being pushed into the air is very dangerous. -
Ocean pH Now
Now the ocean is ten percent more acidic since the Industrial Revolution. The current average of the ocean's pH is 8.1, but some areas are more affected than others. If trends continue, by 2100, the ocean's pH may reach under 7.8. -
Coyotes?
Coyotes are coming into the city. To some, this may be a problem since they are coming in close to their property. While for others, coyotes are anything but a nuisance, and they don't mind them coming close into urban areas. Both the ocean and coyote's ecosystem don't represent homeostasis since they are changing. The ocean is getting more acidic and coyotes are coming into the city. -
The Future
So what does this mean for the future? If we continue emitting massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the air, many organisms may get hurt, including humans. We lessen the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air by using renewable energy sources. We can also use electric cars and other eco-friendly choices of transportation.
