Introduction to Biology and the Context of Chemistry

Great Barrier Reef Coral Bleaching Our Ocean planet, 3/4 water, is in danger. The oceans are warming up, and the pH of the oceans is changing (ocean acidification) due to global climate change. Together, these changes cause more severe weather events and threaten some of the world's most beautiful ecosystems, the coral reefs. Coral reefs serve as home and nursery to most of the ocean's diverse organisms, and they are in danger. Ocean acidification is causing significant coral reef bleaching. Scientists are studying coral reef bleaching due to ocean acidification in order to preserve some of our richest ecosystems for upcoming generations. What is pH? What are ions? How does water respond chemically? These are the questions we answer in this unit.

📅 This Week at a Glance

Objectives

Chapter 2 Objectives Worksheet

Homework

PowerPoint Presentations

Civic Engagement

Your civic engagement essay topic for this unit is:

What is ocean acidification and how does it occur?

How does acidification affect the oceans, particularly the coral reefs?

What can be done about it?

After summarizing our in-class discussions on ocean acidification, please name at least three distinct things that you as an individual can do to reduce ocean acidification by being better stewards of water.

Submit your summary and suggestions to CANVAS as an essay for EXAM 5. Don't forget: extra research is required. Be sure to cite your sources using proper MLA or APA format.

Visit websites like the Greenpeace Website and read articles to gain more perspective on this phenomenon.