When carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in salt water, it leads to the phenomenon known as ocean acidification. This process causes several effects:
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Ocean Waters Become More Acidic: When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The increase in hydrogen ions lowers the pH of the water, making it more acidic.
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Impact on Marine Life: Increased acidity can adversely affect many marine organisms, especially those that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and certain plankton species. This can disrupt ecosystems and food chains.
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Other Effects: While the direct dissolution of CO2 primarily leads to increased acidity, it can also indirectly influence ocean temperatures and water circulation over time, though these processes involve multiple factors and are subject to broader climate change impacts.
Regarding the options presented: the most direct and immediate effect of absorbed CO2 in seawater is that "ocean waters become more acidic."