Quote,
"Earth’s oceans have become approximately 30% more acidic since the industrial revolution began more than 200 years ago… Analyses of coral skeletons from the past century revealed that CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere, driving rapid acidification."
Digression: you may not be aware that the ocean both absorbs and also emits carbon dioxide, with the ("net") balance between the two changing due to a variety of bizarre factors… such as how much wind is stirring up "deep" (relatively high-carbon) water in the so-called "cold tongue" of the South Pacific. Yes, in case you hadn't noticed that 21st century rappers have run out of endearing stage names, the English language has become so depleted that we have had to resort to "cold tongue" as jargon.
"The ocean becomes more acidified when carbon dioxide dissolves to form an acid that releases hydrogen and bicarbonate ions, lowering the water’s pH level… Organic matter — dead plants and animals — sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where it decomposes and releases carbon dioxide back into the water. Upwelling surfaces this CO2 rich water, increasing the acidity of subsurface and surface zones."
Could we propose a total ban on the idiom "carbon rich"? This use of the adjective rich for anything other than vegan chocolate pudding substitutes… ?
"Between 1888 and 2020, coral skeletons indicate that CO2 in seawater increased at a rate that outpaced the addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. [Emphasis added —EM] The magnitude of acidification was also higher 100 to 200 meters below the surface, even though ocean acidification is typically characterized as a surface process."
Here's the point at which I disagree with the article being quoted:
"'This is no time for nihilism. The ocean is not destroyed,' …"
On the contrary, the time for nihilism is now. Right now. Before it's too late.
