1. Ocean acidification in the California Current
Stephen Solimine
Physical Oceanography

2. The California Current system
- Stretches along the entire west coast of the United States and down the Baja Peninsula

3. Marine life in the California Current
- Biodiversity
- Extensive food web
- Important for the fishing industry

4. CO2 on the rise
Dore, John E., et al. 2009

5. Carbon Dioxide will react with water to form Carbonic Acid which will quickly release a hydrogen ion
CO2 + H2O → H2CO3 → H+
The more hydrogen ions present in the water, the lower the pH will be

6. Progression of ocean acidification
Gruber, Nicolas, et al. 2012

7. Ekman pumping along the California Current
American Meteorological Society

8. Upwelling brings corrosive water into the California Current
Freely, Richard A., et al. 2008

9. Conclusion
- Increasing atmospheric CO2 will continue to be absorbed the the worlds oceans
- Adverse effects on marine life
- Possibly devastating to fishing industry
- Disruption of the food chain

10. References
Gruber, Nicolas, et al. "Rapid progression of ocean acidification in the California Current System." science (2012):
Dore, John E., et al. "Physical and biogeochemical modulation of ocean acidification in the central North Pacific." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2009):
Feely, Richard A., et al. "Evidence for upwelling of corrosive" acidified" water onto the continental shelf." science (2008):