Impacts of change to the carbon cycle

Question 1

Ocean acidification

Answer 1

30% of CO2 released diffuses into the ocean
Raises ocean acidity
Carbonate used to make coral and shells
Carbonic acid + carbonate ions —-> bicarbonate
Caused the breakdown of the oyster community

Question 2

Ocean warming

Answer 2

Due to increasing global temp.
Decreases abundance of phytoplankton
Kills of symbiotic algae
Coral bleaching

Question 3

Ocean salinity

Answer 3

High ocean temp.
High precipitation
Decrease the salinity

Question 4

Sea level rise

Answer 4

Melting landlocked freshwater ice
3.5mm/yr
Caused by summer melting and low snowfall
E.g. Antarctica and Greenland Ice sheets
Also by process of thermal expansion - water expands when it heats up

Question 5

Enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 5

CO2 increase increases temp of Earth