Our Oceans are becoming more acidic and at ever increasing rate and this will have impacts locally in the Puget Sound, along the West Coast, and throughout the entire world. Ironically, what makes the Pacific Northwest such a productive ecosystem in terms of fisheries also makes it more vulnerable to this impact.

For this assignment, write a 4-5 page write up exploring ocean acidification. Your paper should have FOUR clearly labelled sections:

1. What is Ocean Acidification
2. What are some of the impacts that we’ll see directly in the Pacific Northwest
3. What will the future bring
4. Bibliography containing at least 5 additional sources (CSE format).

Use the following to provide a basis for your paper.

1. TEDx video, Ocean Acidification in Washington State (linked below)

AND

2. Seattle Times Special Report “Sea Change: The Pacific’s Perilous Turn” (http://apps.seattletimes.com/reports/sea-change/2013/sep/11/pacific-ocean-perilous-turn-overview/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQri6H0ebws&feature=emb_logo

See the rubric below for information on how this assignment will be graded.

Answer preview

This paper explains ocean acidification and its current and future impact focusing on observations made in the Pacific Northwest. It is a global threat described as a twin to climate change and is a process where the ocean waters experience increasing acidity (decreased pH) following dissolved carbon IV oxide (CO2). The industrialization has increased the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, and this trend is feared to continue in the next centuries unless proactive measures are undertaken. Although…

 

(1400 words)