What this deck covers
This deck focuses on Ocean Acidification, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.
AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Ocean Acidification
Study Ocean Acidification in AP Environmental Science with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.
AP Environmental Science
Ocean Acidification
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QUESTION
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What is the chemical formula for a carbonate ion?
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ANSWER
CO32−. Carbonate ions are essential for marine organism calcification.
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Flashcard 1: What is the chemical formula for a carbonate ion?
Answer: CO32−. Carbonate ions are essential for marine organism calcification.
Flashcard 2: What is the chemical formula for a carbonate ion?
Answer: CO32−. Carbonate ions are essential for marine organism calcification.
Flashcard 3: What is the role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle?
Answer: Major carbon sink, absorbing CO₂. Oceans absorb about 25% of human CO₂ emissions.
Flashcard 4: What chemical reaction occurs when CO₂ is absorbed by seawater?
Answer: CO2+H2O→H2CO3. CO₂ dissolves in water to form carbonic acid.
Flashcard 5: How does temperature affect CO₂ solubility in ocean water?
Answer: Higher temperature decreases CO₂ solubility. Warmer water holds less dissolved CO₂ than cold water.
Flashcard 6: What is the pH range of normal ocean water?
Answer: Approximately 8.1 to 8.3. Ocean water is naturally basic, well above neutral pH 7.
Flashcard 7: What is the relationship between CO₂ and pH in oceans?
Answer: Higher CO₂ leads to lower pH. Inverse relationship: more CO₂ absorption decreases ocean pH.
Flashcard 8: What is the formula for the bicarbonate ion?
Answer: HCO3−. Bicarbonate ion is a major component of ocean chemistry.
Flashcard 9: Which process increases ocean water's CO₂ absorption capacity?
Answer: Cold water circulation and mixing. Cold water dissolves more CO₂ than warm water.
Flashcard 10: How does ocean acidification influence fish behavior?
Answer: Alters sensory perception and behavior. Higher acidity disrupts fish nervous system function.
Flashcard 11: Identify a method to monitor ocean acidification.
Answer: Measuring pH and carbonate ion concentrations. These measurements track ocean acidification progress.
Flashcard 12: What is the typical pH of acidified ocean water?
Answer: Less than 8.1. Acidified water has lower pH than normal ocean conditions.
Flashcard 13: What is the formula for the bicarbonate ion?
Answer: HCO3−. Bicarbonate ion is a major component of ocean chemistry.
Flashcard 14: What is the role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle?
Answer: Major carbon sink, absorbing CO₂. Oceans absorb about 25% of human CO₂ emissions.
Flashcard 15: Which gas is primarily responsible for ocean acidification?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). CO₂ absorption forms acids that lower ocean pH.
Flashcard 16: What is the pH range of normal ocean water?
Answer: Approximately 8.1 to 8.3. Ocean water is naturally basic, well above neutral pH 7.
Flashcard 17: What is the relationship between CO₂ and pH in oceans?
Answer: Higher CO₂ leads to lower pH. Inverse relationship: more CO₂ absorption decreases ocean pH.
Flashcard 18: What is one ecological impact of ocean acidification?
Answer: Disruption of marine food webs. Loss of calcifying organisms disrupts marine ecosystems.
Flashcard 19: How does ocean acidification affect coral reefs?
Answer: Weakens coral skeletons, hindering growth. Lower pH reduces carbonate for coral skeleton formation.
Flashcard 20: Which chemical reaction removes carbonate ions from seawater?
Answer: Ca2++CO32−→CaCO3. Calcium and carbonate combine to form shells and skeletons.
Flashcard 21: Which option is a direct effect of increased ocean acidity?
Answer: Coral bleaching. Acidification directly weakens coral structures, causing bleaching.
Flashcard 22: Identify a method to monitor ocean acidification.
Answer: Measuring pH and carbonate ion concentrations. These measurements track ocean acidification progress.
Flashcard 23: What chemical reaction occurs when CO2 is absorbed by seawater?
Answer: CO2+H2O→H2CO3. CO2 dissolves in water to form carbonic acid.
Flashcard 24: Which component of seawater buffers pH changes?
Answer: Bicarbonate ions (HCO3−). Bicarbonate ions help maintain stable ocean pH levels.
Flashcard 25: How does ocean acidification affect coral reefs?
Answer: Weakens coral skeletons, hindering growth. Lower pH reduces carbonate for coral skeleton formation.
Flashcard 26: What is the role of phytoplankton in carbon cycles?
Answer: Absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis. Phytoplankton remove CO₂ from water during growth.
Flashcard 27: Identify the primary cause of ocean acidification.
Answer: Increased atmospheric CO₂ from human activities. Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂ that dissolves in oceans.
Flashcard 28: Identify a potential solution to mitigate ocean acidification.
Answer: Reducing CO₂ emissions globally. Reducing the source of excess CO₂ prevents further acidification.
Flashcard 29: What is a potential impact of ocean acidification on tourism?
Answer: Damage to coral reefs affects recreational activities. Coral reef degradation reduces diving and snorkeling tourism.
Flashcard 30: What effect does ocean acidification have on marine biodiversity?
Answer: Potential decline in species diversity. Acidification harms calcifying species, disrupting ecosystems.
Flashcard 31: Which feedback loop exacerbates ocean acidification?
Answer: Warmer oceans release more CO₂, lowering pH. Warming reduces CO₂ solubility, creating positive feedback.
Flashcard 32: Identify a potential solution to mitigate ocean acidification.
Answer: Reducing CO₂ emissions globally. Reducing the source of excess CO₂ prevents further acidification.
Flashcard 33: What is the chemical formula for carbonic acid?
Answer: H2CO3. Carbonic acid forms when CO₂ dissolves in seawater.
Flashcard 34: How does temperature affect CO₂ solubility in ocean water?
Answer: Higher temperature decreases CO₂ solubility. Warmer water holds less dissolved CO₂ than cold water.
Flashcard 35: Which gas is primarily responsible for ocean acidification?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). CO₂ absorption forms acids that lower ocean pH.
Flashcard 36: Identify a mineral affected by ocean acidification.
Answer: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcium carbonate dissolves more easily in acidic water.
Flashcard 37: State the impact of reduced carbonate ions on calcifying organisms.
Answer: Weaker shells and skeletons. Less carbonate means calcifying organisms struggle to build structures.
Flashcard 38: Which oceanic organisms are most affected by acidification?
Answer: Coral reefs, mollusks, and some plankton. These organisms build calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.
Flashcard 39: What is the typical pH of acidified ocean water?
Answer: Less than 8.1. Acidified water has lower pH than normal ocean conditions.
Flashcard 40: Identify the primary cause of ocean acidification.
Answer: Increased atmospheric CO₂ from human activities. Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂ that dissolves in oceans.
Flashcard 41: What is the effect of increased H+ ions on ocean pH?
Answer: Lowers pH, making water more acidic. More hydrogen ions decrease pH on the logarithmic scale.
Flashcard 42: Identify an economic impact of ocean acidification.
Answer: Threat to fisheries and aquaculture industries. Declining marine ecosystems reduce seafood availability and income.
Flashcard 43: What is ocean acidification?
Answer: Decrease in pH of ocean water due to absorption of CO₂. Ocean water becomes less basic as it absorbs atmospheric CO₂.
Flashcard 44: Which chemical reaction removes carbonate ions from seawater?
Answer: Ca2++CO32−→CaCO3. Calcium and carbonate combine to form shells and skeletons.
Flashcard 45: State one indicator of ocean acidification.
Answer: Decreasing pH levels in ocean waters. pH decline is the primary measure of ocean acidification.
Flashcard 46: Which process increases ocean water's CO₂ absorption capacity?
Answer: Cold water circulation and mixing. Cold water dissolves more CO₂ than warm water.
Flashcard 47: Identify a consequence of ocean acidification on human communities.
Answer: Impacts on food security and livelihoods. Declining fisheries affect coastal communities economically.
Flashcard 48: Which human activities contribute most to ocean acidification?
Answer: Fossil fuel burning and deforestation. These activities release the most atmospheric CO₂.
Flashcard 49: Which component of seawater buffers pH changes?
Answer: Bicarbonate ions (HCO3−). Bicarbonate ions help maintain stable ocean pH levels.
Flashcard 50: Which oceanic organisms are most affected by acidification?
Answer: Coral reefs, mollusks, and some plankton. These organisms build calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.
Flashcard 51: What is the effect of ocean acidification on pH levels?
Answer: Decreases ocean pH levels. More hydrogen ions make ocean water more acidic.
Flashcard 52: What is one ecological impact of ocean acidification?
Answer: Disruption of marine food webs. Loss of calcifying organisms disrupts marine ecosystems.
Flashcard 53: Which human activities contribute most to ocean acidification?
Answer: Fossil fuel burning and deforestation. These activities release the most atmospheric CO₂.
Flashcard 54: Identify an economic impact of ocean acidification.
Answer: Threat to fisheries and aquaculture industries. Declining marine ecosystems reduce seafood availability and income.
Flashcard 55: What is the chemical formula for a hydrogen ion?
Answer: H+. Hydrogen ions determine acidity levels in solutions.
Flashcard 56: Identify a consequence of ocean acidification on human communities.
Answer: Impacts on food security and livelihoods. Declining fisheries affect coastal communities economically.
Flashcard 57: What is the effect of increased H+ ions on ocean pH?
Answer: Lowers pH, making water more acidic. More hydrogen ions decrease pH on the logarithmic scale.
Flashcard 58: How does ocean acidification influence fish behavior?
Answer: Alters sensory perception and behavior. Higher acidity disrupts fish nervous system function.
Flashcard 59: What is a potential impact of ocean acidification on tourism?
Answer: Damage to coral reefs affects recreational activities. Coral reef degradation reduces diving and snorkeling tourism.
Flashcard 60: State one indicator of ocean acidification.
Answer: Decreasing pH levels in ocean waters. pH decline is the primary measure of ocean acidification.
Flashcard 61: Which option is a direct effect of increased ocean acidity?
Answer: Coral bleaching. Acidification directly weakens coral structures, causing bleaching.
Flashcard 62: How does ocean acidification affect marine life?
Answer: It reduces availability of carbonate ions for shell formation. Lower pH decreases carbonate availability for shell-building organisms.