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Introduction
Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem. Even though they are not alive, they can still affect ecosystems in significant ways. Let's look at how ocean pH affects ocean life to get a better understanding of why coyotes are coming into the city. -
The Burning of Fossil Fuels
Coal was the only source of fossil fuels until the 1860s when crude oil was introduced. And natural gas popped up a few decades later in the 1880s-90s. Fossil fuels diversified greatly in the 20th century, and coal production dropped from 96% in 1900 to less than 30% in 2000. -
Increasing Levels of Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) can come from both natural and man-made sources. Out of the man-made sources, 87% of CO2 comes from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, 9% comes from land-use changes such as deforestation, and 4% comes from industrial processes like cement manufacturing. Natural sources of carbon dioxide are decomposition, ocean release, and respiration. -
The Excess Amounts of Carbon Dioxide Effect the pH of the Ocean
When atmospheric carbon dioxide increases, oceanic CO2 does the same, and when it combines with water molecules (H2O), it creates carbonic acid (HCO3). Overtime the carbonic acid will become either carbonate (CO3) or bicarbonate (HCO3): Bicarbonate will form more often because it is more stable than carbonate. Because pH is decided by how many hydrogen (H) molecules are floating around the more HCO3 you have in the water, the more acidic it will be. -
The Effects of Ocean Acidification
Many marine animals rely on calcium carbonate (CaCO3) for their skeletons and shells (called calcifiers). Acidification in the ocean causes there to be an undersaturation of CaCO3 in the water. Making it very hard for calcifiers to produce and maintain shells or skeletons. -
Summary
As we’ve seen with ocean acidification, abiotic factors can sometimes make it very hard for the animals who share an ecosystem. Perhaps that’s what’s happening with coyotes. The effects of a single or multiple abiotic factors could be forcing coyotes to find a more comfortable place to live, like the city.
