The Ocean Is Not Getting Acidified

[PapaG]

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/12/27/the-ocean-is-not-getting-acidified/

There’s an interesting study out on the natural pH changes in the ocean. I discussed some of these pH changes a year ago in my post “The Electric Oceanic Acid Test“. Before getting to the new study, let me say a couple of things about pH.

The pH scale measures from zero to fourteen. Seven is neutral, because it is the pH of pure water. Below seven is acidic. Above seven is basic. This is somewhat inaccurately but commonly called “alkaline”. Milk is slightly acidic. Baking soda is slightly basic (alkaline).

The first thing of note regarding pH is that alkalinity is harder on living things than is acidity. Both are corrosive of living tissue, but alkalinity has a stronger effect. It seems counterintuitive, but it’s true. For example, almost all of our foods are acidic. We eat things with a pH of 2, five units below the neutral reading of 7 … but nothing with a corresponding pH of 12, five units above neutral. The most alkaline foods are eggs (pH up to 8) and dates and crackers (pH up to 8.5). Heck, our stomach acid has a pH of 1.5 to 3.0, and our bodies don’t mind that at all … but don’t try to drink Drano, the lye will destroy your stomach.

 

[TripTango]

Chemically speaking, this intro is misleading. There's absolutely no chemical or biological support for the statement that "alkalinity is harder on living things than is acidity". The fact that we can digest acidic foods in an organ specifically adapted for the job (our specially-lined stomachs) is hardly evidence that our bodies in general somehow prefer acidity over alkalinity. Would Mr. Eschenbach rather have stomach acid in his eye, or laundry soap? Both would do damage and hurt like hell.

 

[Eastoff]

the data he shows on his charts are scaled by days. I would be really worried if the acidity changed rapidly enough to cause damage in a month.

 

[MARIS61]

Anyone with a hot tub knows even a small change in the balance has serious consequences.

Considering the ocean supports all life on Earth and we throw all our refuse into it, I'd say there's cause for concern.

 

[magnifier661]

This is my field and I really can explain it, but I need my work cpu

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Anyone with a hot tub knows even a small change in the balance has serious consequences.

gross.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

Considering the ocean supports all life on Earth and we throw all our refuse into it, I'd say there's cause for concern.

The free market says otherwise. Capitalism > Nature.

 

[HailBlazers]

Capitalism > Human Life

 

[PapaG]

What does this have to do with capitalism?

 

[BrianFromWA]

it's only corporate trash in the ocean. The 99% of us recycle our waste in eco-friendly ways.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I blame Sarah Palin.

Because I can.

 

[huevonkiller]

The free market says otherwise. Capitalism > Nature.

Um no buddy.

Capitalism doesn't allow you to trash someone else's property.