The question
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________ Carbon dioxide, temperature and seawater pH at an ocean station (10 points)
Data
An open-ocean station, 1990 to 2020
| Year | Atmospheric CO₂ (ppm) | Surface water temperature (°C) | Surface seawater pH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 354 | 23.10 | 8.110 |
| 1995 | 361 | 23.16 | 8.101 |
| 2000 | 370 | 23.22 | 8.093 |
| 2005 | 380 | 23.30 | 8.084 |
| 2010 | 390 | 23.37 | 8.075 |
| 2015 | 401 | 23.45 | 8.064 |
| 2020 | 414 | 23.54 | 8.053 |
(a) Describe the trend in surface seawater pH from 1990 to 2020. Use data from the table in your answer. [2 points]
(b) Describe the relationship between atmospheric CO₂ and seawater pH shown in the data, and explain the chemistry behind it. [2 points]
(c) Calculate the percent change in atmospheric CO₂ from 1990 to 2020. Show your setup. [2 points]
(d) Surface water temperature also rose at the station. Make a claim about whether the data show that warming caused the drop in pH, and justify it. [1 point]
(e) Explain how the change in pH could affect oysters and corals near the station. [2 points]
(f) Propose one action that would slow the decline in seawater pH worldwide. [1 point]