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How Will the Equilibrium Change If the Ocean Is More Acidic?

Published in Ocean Acidification Chemistry 2 mins read

If the ocean becomes more acidic, the equilibrium shifts to the left.

Understanding the Impact of Increased Ocean Acidity

When the ocean becomes more acidic, it means there is a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the water. This change in H+ concentration directly affects the chemical balance of certain compounds dissolved in the ocean.

Based on the provided reference, as the acidity of the ocean increases:

  • The H+ concentration increases.
  • There is less HCO3- (bicarbonate) available.
  • There is more CO2 (aq) (dissolved carbon dioxide) available.

These changes collectively cause a specific chemical equilibrium – referred to as "equation 2" in the reference – to shift to the left.

What the Equilibrium Shift Means

Shifting an equilibrium "to the left" means that the reaction proceeds more in the direction of the reactants, away from the products. In this specific scenario, with increasing acidity, the balance between different forms of dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean (like CO2, bicarbonate, and carbonate) is altered. The reference indicates this shift leads to a decrease in bicarbonate and an increase in dissolved CO2.

This shift has significant implications for marine life, particularly organisms that rely on carbonate ions (another form of dissolved inorganic carbon, closely linked to bicarbonate) to build their shells and skeletons. While the reference doesn't explicitly mention carbonate, the stated decrease in HCO3- as the equilibrium shifts left is part of the complex carbonate chemistry system affected by acidification.

Summary of Changes

Here's a quick overview of how increasing ocean acidity changes the equilibrium according to the reference:

Chemical Species Change Due to Increased Acidity Equilibrium Shift
H+ Concentration Increases
HCO3- (Bicarbonate) Decreases Left
CO2 (aq) (Dissolved) Increases

This shift is a key consequence of ocean acidification, driven primarily by the absorption of excess atmospheric CO2 into seawater.