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Introduction
Abiotic factors are nonliving characteristics existing in an ecosystem. These include climate, temperature, acidity, and salinity. If any of these factors become unbalanced, the environment will suffer because of it. -
Burning of Fossil Fuels
A substantial increase of fossil fuels burned can be recognized in the mid 1700s, at the start of the industrial revolution. Initially, wood was being burned for biomass energy. Since then industries have evolved and now burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. -
Carbon Dioxide Levels Increased Significantly
It was at the start of the 1900s that scientists began to notice a large increase in carbon dioxide levels. They hypothesized that the main source of this incline was from the large corporations that were being created at the time. It was from this point on that the CO2 content of the atmosphere was recorded regularly. -
CO2 Levels Began to Affect the Ocean's pH Greatly
As carbon dioxide levels continued to rise, the CO2 levels began to affect the oceans. CO2 exists in a dissolved form in water, much like oxygen does. When carbon dioxide reacts with H2O, the hydrogen ions are released which increases the ocean acidity levels. In other words, as carbon dioxide levels increase, so does the acid amount in the ocean. -
Coral Reef Destruction
In addition to the troubles carbon dioxide had already caused, in the 1990s, scientists discovered the damage that was being done to our coral reefs. Due to the oceans pH level decreasing, organisms in the ocean were also suffering, specifically calcifiers. Acid in the ocean dissolves calcifiers shells and lessens their chance of survival. At the same time, the oceans are also warming, which causes coral bleaching and destroys the coral reefs. -
Conclusion
In summary, the increase of carbon dioxide has affected the Earth's ecosystems in many ways. In particular, marine life. CO2 has caused the ocean's pH level the decrease and the temperature to rise. This has caused many organisms to suffer in response. In turn, this shows how abiotic factors can destroy an environment, along with human activity. Much like how we are affecting the coyotes ecosystem by encroaching upon their territory.
