Final answer:
pH measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, with the ocean's pH being slightly basic, around 8.0. Ocean acidification, primarily due to increased CO2 dissolving into the ocean, threatens marine life by decreasing the availability of calcium carbonate needed for many organisms' structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, and it indicates whether a solution is acidic, basic, or neutral. The pH scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with 7 being neutral. Ocean water typically has a pH near 8.0, which is slightly basic, and this has a significant relationship with marine life, as these organisms have adapted to this pH level.
Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in ocean pH levels due to increased atmospheric CO2, which dissolves in the ocean and forms carbonic acid. This decrease in pH can disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems, affecting organisms such as plankton, mollusks, shellfish, and corals. These species rely on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons, and with more acidic conditions, the availability of this essential component is reduced.
Overall, the health and survival of marine life are closely tied to the ocean's pH. Buffers in the ocean help to maintain its pH, but with the ongoing addition of CO2 to the atmosphere, the ocean is at risk of becoming too acidic, which would have dire consequences for the marine ecosystem.