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Climate change - Coggle Diagram

- - - - When oceans absorb atmospheric CO2, some of it will remain dissolved in a gaseous state but most will be chemically modified:
      - Carbon dioxide will combine with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into hydrogen ions and hydrogen carbonate
      - H+ ions will lower the ocean pH (acidification) and will also combine with free carbonate ions to form more hydrogen carbonate
      - With less free carbonate ions in the water, marine organisms are less able to produce calcium carbonate (via calcification)
      - Calcium carbonate is used to form the hard exoskeleton of coral and is also present in the shells of certain molluscs
      - Hence increasing concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide threatens the viability of coral reefs and certain molluscs
- - - - greenhouse gases include methane and nitrogen oxides – these have less impact on the overall warming effect
      - Methane is emitted from waterlogged habitats (like marshes) and landfills – it is also a gaseous waste produced by ruminants
      - Nitrogen oxides are released naturally by certain bacteria and also is emitted in the exhaust by certain vehicles