Investigation of the Harm to the Shells of Oceanic Mollusks Due to Ocean Acidification

Abstract

Due to the climb in atmospheric content of carbon dioxide (CO2), the oceanic system has been observed to have a major increase in CO2 concentration as well. Numerous studies have shown that the CO2 in the air has dissolved in and combined with seawater which produced carbonic acid that has been harming oceanic creatures, especially the mollusks. The shells of most mollusks are primarily made of calcium carbonate, which will be dissolved under acidic circumstances. This research aims to find out the changes of mollusks shells’ weight dissolving under various molarity of acidic solutions. This research is conducted to show the severity of the escalating pollution has caused, and it is important to address this matter now since the world has started to focus on the environmental aspect to save the planet. Here, we will run laboratory experiments to collect the data by situating common shells under increasing acidic solutions that are considered close to the oceanic environment. This study could potentially be used as a reference for future relevant studies and exemplary research for examining the impacts on marine organisms due to environmental deterioration.

Biographies

Jason Zhou is a first-year student from BSc, Vantage One. His major interest is Geology including the formations and changes of landscapes. His academic goal is to make contributions to the society with profiting and environmental-friendly discoveries in the future.

Hao Wen is a first-year student majoring in BSc, Vantage One. His major interest is computer science including software development and hoping to explore more possibilities in the virtual world.