The points you've listed can be associated with both ocean acidification and ocean warming. Here’s how each point relates to these phenomena:
Ocean Acidification Evidence:
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Difficult for some species to make shells: This is a direct consequence of ocean acidification. Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the ocean. This acidification makes it harder for calcifying organisms, like corals and mollusks, to access the carbonate ions necessary for shell formation.
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Larger concentrations of carbonic acid: This is a defining characteristic of ocean acidification. The more CO2 that dissolves in seawater, the more carbonic acid forms, leading to a decrease in pH.
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Growing difficulty in absorbing carbon dioxide: As the ocean becomes more acidic, the chemical processes by which marine organisms absorb carbon dioxide can be negatively affected. This can impact overall carbon cycling in the ocean.
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Organisms more prone to illness: Ocean acidification can stress marine organisms, making them more susceptible to diseases. This is especially relevant for species such as corals, which can suffer from bleaching and increased vulnerability to pathogens in acidic conditions.
Ocean Warming Evidence:
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Expansion of ocean volume: This phenomenon is primarily driven by thermal expansion due to increasing ocean temperatures (ocean warming). As the water warms, it expands and contributes to rising sea levels.
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Melting of glaciers and ice caps: While this is primarily tied to climate change, it is also a consequence of ocean warming. Warmer ocean temperatures contribute to the melting of ice caps and glaciers, particularly in polar regions.
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Organisms more prone to illness: While this can relate to both ocean acidification and warming, warmer temperatures can exacerbate stress in marine organisms, making them more susceptible to diseases and infections.
Summary:
- Ocean Acidification Evidence: Difficult for some species to make shells, larger concentrations of carbonic acid, growing difficulty in absorbing carbon dioxide, organisms more prone to illness.
- Ocean Warming Evidence: Expansion of ocean volume, melting of glaciers and ice caps, organisms more prone to illness.
In summary, both ocean acidification and ocean warming have significant impacts on marine ecosystems, but they affect different processes and species in distinct ways.