Final answer:
A high amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to climate change and global warming. Increased carbon dioxide levels in the oceans lead to ocean acidification, which can negatively impact sea life's ability to produce hard exoskeletons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of carbon dioxide in a given area or system can have various effects.
In the atmosphere, high levels of carbon dioxide contribute to climate change and global warming. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures and other climate-related impacts.
In the oceans, increased carbon dioxide levels result in ocean acidification. This occurs when carbon dioxide reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the water. Ocean acidification can make it difficult for sea life to produce their hard exoskeletons, such as corals and shellfish, as the acidic conditions hinder the calcium carbonate deposition process.