Question

How are human activities disturbing carbon dioxide levels and affecting marine life? A. Increased carbon dioxide levels have made the oceans more alkaline. B. Increased carbon dioxide levels have made the oceans more acidic. C. Increased carbon dioxide levels have led to the production of more oxygen. D. Increased carbon dioxide levels have stabilized all ocean ecosystems.

Answer 1

Answer: B. Increased carbon dioxide levels have made the oceans more acidic.

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere due to human activities such as burning of the fossil fuels, deforestation and others. The carbon dioxide is responsible for the process of ocean acidification.  It occurs when the carbon dioxide is readily absorbed into the oceanic water at high rate. The carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid.  Carbonic acid  breaks down into a hydrogen ion (H+) and bicarbonate (HCO3-). The presence of all these hydrogen ions in water decreases it's pH, or produces acidity.

This process adversely affect the life of the marine animals like the acidic water causes the shells and skeleton composed of calcium carbonate to dissolve in water.

Answer 2

Increased carbon dioxide levels have made the oceans more acidic. Increased carbon dioxide levels have led to the production of more oxygen. Increased carbon dioxide levels have stabilized all oceanecosystems.

D. Increased carbon dioxide levels have stabilized all ocean ecosystems.