Question

How does absorbing carbon dioxide gas from

the atmosphere most directly affect oceans?
A. It lowers the pH of the water.
B. It raises the temperature of the water.
C. It reduces the volume of water in the oceans
D. It increases the salt concentration of the
water.

Answer 1

A. It lowers the pH of the water.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon dioxide is a gaseous molecule found to be naturally present in air. It has the chemical formula, CO2. Carbon dioxide readily reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).

This means that when the oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, it reacts with the water and forms carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the water body.

CO2 + H2O → H2CO3