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The Ocean’s Acid Test

August 8, 2012

Seawater has a pH of around 8.2 on average, meaning it is slightly alkaline. For the past several decades, however, that number has been slowly, but perceptibly dropping, making the seas ever more acidic. This trend, known as ocean acidification, is a very serious, but less well-known result of increased carbon dioxide emissions to Earth’s atmosphere. On Wednesday, August 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., WHOI will hold a public event that will explain the causes and impacts of ocean acidification (which include disruptions to critical natural services provided by the ocean to society) as well as possible actions to mitigate increased acidification. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)