This past Science Sunday, we explored the effect ocean acidification has on organisms with shells. We know that our cars and the burning of fossil fuels release a lot of CO2 into our atmosphere. Our ocean then absorbs the CO2 and the water reacts with the CO2, causing the pH level of the ocean to decrease or become more acidic (a process known as ocean acidification). When organisms with calcium carbonate shells (calcifers) are exposed to acidic water, their shells breakdown and can die. This is a huge problem for our shelled friends and for our ocean ecosystem.

To demonstrate how devastating acidic water is to shells, we collected shells on the beach (with no one inside) and placed them into a cup of white vinegar (an acid). The shells immediately started to bubble and eventually started falling apart. A group of young scientists helped us conduct the experiment. Below are a few of their lab notebook entries.