Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Titanscape on 18/09/2007 15:49:57
-
The oceans cover two thirds of the Earth's surface. They are wavey and full of swell, increasing surface area. On the surface a metre or two down there is ocean fauna, which produce oxygen and we need it to survive.
Acidity coming from carbon emissions, is CO2 in water becomes acid. The acid destroys part of the structure of the fauna, as in coral, in the surface fauna, plankton, there is the calcium compound. What is it called again? It breaks down in the acid.
Ancient pre-industrial remains from a few inches below the sediment surface at the ocean floor reveal better healthier I think it is calcium carbonate. A structure within the plankton.
If there is a crisis there it could lead to less Oxygen in the atmosphere, maybe a downward spiral.
It also would effect all the creatures feeding off them, like krill and the animals feeding of krill, such as whales...
Perhaps it is an idea to genetically modify sea fauna in this circumstance? Obviously cut carbon emissions.
-
Cutting carbon would do the opposite of what you want to do, provide a better oceanic environment and thus more Oxygen. The process that produces oxygen in the ocean is the same as on land - it is the processing of CO2 though photosynthesis by chlorophyll in plants. In the ocean, most of this is in the form of green algae. There is some minor contibution by floating seaweed.
-
The ocean fauna is ill effected by acidity from CO2.
I meant cutting onland CO2 emissions.
Making plants at sea that endure acidity better, perhaps making some of their own alkalinity or balancing themselves...
More Oxygen for our lungs and for less acidity.
When plants, at night produce CO2, they grow. I may have to look into this, it's been years since I studied biology.