Simple ocean acidification demos you can do

(almost) anywhere with (almost) no budget

Simple ocean acidification demos you can do

(almost) anywhere with (almost) no budget

Meg ChadseyWashington State Sea Grant

Meg ChadseyWashington State Sea Grant

Image credit: Jack Cook, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

What is Ocean Acidification?What is Ocean Acidification?

The ocean absorbs ~25% of carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere.

The ocean absorbs ~25% of carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere.

Image Credit: Sarah Cooley, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

CO2

(Carbon Dioxide)

Climate Change

Ocean Acidification+ CO2

The pH Scale

Source: Dr. Simone Alin, NOAA PMELhttp://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/A+primer+on+pH

+ CO2H2OSeawater

Demonstrations

1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2 1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2

Demonstrations1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2

2) Hold Your Breath: experience how a small decrease in pH can have a big impact

1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2

2) Hold Your Breath: experience how a small decrease in pH can have a big impact

Demonstrations1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2

2) Hold Your Breath: experience how a small decrease in pH can have a big impact

3) Shells on Acid: why calcifiers (organisms with calcium carbonate shells) are especially vulnerable to acidification

1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2

2) Hold Your Breath: experience how a small decrease in pH can have a big impact

3) Shells on Acid: why calcifiers (organisms with calcium carbonate shells) are especially vulnerable to acidification

Ocean Acidification meansless calcium carbonate for building shells

Demonstrations1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2

2) Hold Your Breath: experience how a small decrease in pH can have a big impact

3) Shells on Acid: why calcifiers (organisms with calcium carbonate shells) are especially vulnerable to acidification

4) Crossing Thresholds: what root beer can teach us about acidification

1) A Tale of Two Acids: lemon juice vs. CO2

2) Hold Your Breath: experience how a small decrease in pH can have a big impact

3) Shells on Acid: why calcifiers (organisms with calcium carbonate shells) are especially vulnerable to acidification

4) Crossing Thresholds: what root beer can teach us about acidification

Photo: Matt Chadsey

Meg ChadseyWashington Sea Grant OA Specialist & NOAA PMEL Liaisonmchadsey(at)uw.edu wsg.washington.edu/our-northwest/ocean-acidification/