Excessive atmospheric CO2 increases its dissolution in ocean water. This makes seawater more ________.
Acidic
When atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater it reacts with water to form carbonic acid: CO2 + H2O → H2CO3.
Carbonic acid partially dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-). The extra H+ ions lower the pH of seawater.
This phenomenon, called ocean acidification, threatens corals, shellfish, and other calcifying organisms by dissolving their calcium carbonate structures.
Hence, excessive dissolved CO2 makes seawater more acidic.
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