Dissolved Gases in the Ocean Cold water holds more gas then warm water. Lower salinity water holds more gases then higher salinity water. Deep water holds more gas then shallow water.

Dissolved Gases in the Ocean Waves at the ocean surface release gases from the water into the air. Phytoplankton use CO2 to photosynthesize and release O2 into the water. The O2 is used by ocean animals.

Carbon Dioxide and the Ocean H2O reacts with CO2 and creates compounds animals use to make shells (carbonic acid and bicarbonates). This traps CO2 in the ocean. Coral and shell fish use these chemicals to make their skeletons and shells. Ocean acidification: As atmospheric CO2 rises, CO2 rises in the ocean, causing ocean water pH to drop. Ocean acidification is a threat to many species.