Dilemma Of Co2 Oceans

Oceans are a huge reservoir of carbon. Co2 oceans can be found in large quantity. In the oceans all over the world, there is a continual cycle of equilibration of carbon dioxide dissolved in water with the atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Approximately, 88 thousand million tons carbon is released from the earths surface every year. The uptake of carbon dioxide by the oceans is 90 thousand million tons annually.

Since the Co2 mixes slowly in the oceans, the atmospheric Co2 absorbed remains confined to the upper layers of the oceans. Studies reveal that about half of the anthropogenic Co2 taken up in the last 200 years can be found in the upper 10% of the oceans.

About 48% of the Co2 released in the atmosphere due to the human activities like fossil fuels combustion and cement manufacturing, has been removed by the oceans.

Increased level of Co2 causes ocean acidification. On the other hand, reduced level of Co2 causes stratification. Both are harmful for the oceans. Thus, a balance has to be maintained.

The dissolved carbon dioxide in the oceans is present in three forms. It is found in the form of carbonate and bicarbonate ions, apart from the normal carbon dioxide.

About 90% of the carbon content found in the oceans is comprised of the bicarbonate and carbonate ions. These act as a link between Co2 and bicarbonate. With the increase of the carbon dioxide concentration in the oceans, the supply of carbonate ions becomes less. This reduces the ocean's ability to take up atmospheric carbon dioxide.

The effects of decreased calcification can be harmful for the marine life. Marine food webs of the microscopic algae and animals may be altered. The altered amount of Co2 in the oceans can change the diversity and the productivity of the oceans substantially. This is combined with other factors like temperature, which change the salinity of oceanic water.

The global temperature has drastically increased because of the global warming. Consequently, the sea temperature has also risen resulting in the reduced levels of the oceanic carbon dioxide. With the increase of the water temperature, the solubility of carbon dioxide decreases and the chances of water stratification increases. Both the factors contribute to an overall reduction in the oceanic Co2 uptake.

Mankind should try its level best to prevent this problem. The emissions of the greenhouse gases should be minimized to maintain level of Co2 oceans. Otherwise, it will spell doom for atmospheric balance.