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Does Salinity Affect Ocean Acidification?

CSEF · 2017 Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (Junior Division Only)

Samantha C. Gaiera · Sunny Brae Middle School, Arcata, Humboldt County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The purpose of this experiment was to investigate if freshwater or saltwater around the Earth was becoming more acidic due to increased carbon emission produced by humans. Methods/Materials A model was made to simulate earth's atmosphere and oceans. Distilled water with different salinity levels was exposed to CO2 gas. The pH of the water was measured every five minutes with a digital pH meter for 30 minutes. Results The hypothesis that if the salinity of water increases and the solutions are exposed to CO2 then the difference between initial and final pH of the solution will also increase was supported. The average change in pH was the highest with 36 ppt (1.33) and lowest with plain distilled water (1.0). Conclusions/Discussion This experiment is important because it shows that saltwater absorbs more CO2 than freshwater. My research suggests that in places of higher salinity, CO2 will be absorbed in greater amounts resulting in greater impact to those areas. As humans continue to increase carbon emissions, fresh water will be taking in less CO2 than the ocean.

Summary statement

This experiment shows that as salinity of water increases, the amount of CO2 absorbed also increases.

Help received

I designed and built the simulator by myself and my mother helped me collect materials.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2017 Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0904

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