Ocean acidification and oceanic carbon cycling

Abstract

The concentration of atmospheric CO2 is increasing due to emissions from burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use. Part of this “anthropogenic CO2” invades the oceans causing a decrease of seawater pH; this process is called “ocean acidification.” The lowered pH, but also the concomitant changes in other properties of the carbonate system, affects marine life and the cycling of carbon in the ocean.