Ocean Acidification Calculation

The degree of ocean acidification can be quantified by the concentration of hydrogen ions ([H+]) in the water, which is inversely related to the pH scale. The pH scale is a measure of acidity, with lower values being more acidic and higher values being more basic or alkaline. The pH of seawater is typically measured in a range from 7.5 to 8.4, but with increasing CO2 levels, it's decreasing over time leading to ocean acidification. The formula [H+] = 10^-pH reflects this relationship, allowing the measurement of hydrogen ion concentration in moles per liter (mol/L) given the pH value of the water. It is critical for monitoring the health of oceanic ecosystems as marine organisms are sensitive to changes in acidity.