Pollution Sours Pacific Ocean More Than Expected 

By: Stephanie Paige Ogburn and ClimateWire

There are so many concerns about the Pacific Ocean because of the high carbon dioxide levels that are being absorbed. (Ogburn). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Washington, over the past, 14 years, this ocean is becoming more and more acidic and becoming that faster than expected. Adrienne Sutton, a research scientist with NOAA's Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean at the University of Washington, the cause of this quick carbon dioxide build up is from natural variability and human-caused emissions in the atmosphere. "Measurements by atmospheric scientists at NOAA show that atmospheric CO2 is increasing at a rate of about 2 parts per million per year. But in parts of the tropical Pacific, the rate of change in CO2 concentrations measured by the researchers reached 3.3 ppm per year." (Ogburn 1). With this highly acidic body of water, shellfish and coral are also highly at risk. With shellfish, these animals will then have a problem building their shell and coral reefs will have problems building their skeletons because the water is acidic. Overall, scientists' main goal is to figure out what part of the carbon dioxide is coming from human emissions and then whats coming from natural oscillations. (Ogburn).



http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/pollution-sours-pacific-ocean-more-than-expected/