Future Makers Data Activism: EXPLORING OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
Ocean Acidification
Ocean Acidification occurs when excess CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed into the ocean. When it is in the ocean it reacts with water to create carbonic acid, and this releases hydrogen and bicarbonate ions. When more Hydrogen ions are in the water, the pH becomes more acidic. Excess CO2 is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned, trees are cut down for deforestation, etc.
Urban Impact
How Urban Communities Are More at Risk
Many water sources near cities are affected by urban runoff. This occurs when rainwater passes through urban areas and then drains into larger bodies of water. Runoff can pick stuff up such as oil, pesticides, metals, and other forms of waste and trash. Runoff also tends to have nitrogen and phosphorus rich fertilizers. With all this waste being drained into bodies of water, the growth of algal blooms is heightened. These agal blooms will then deplete the oxygen in the water.
Injustices
01
Increased Air Pollution
It has been shown that due to the redlining practices used in the late 1900s there are less green spaces with trees and other plants in communities with people of color then communities that are prodominantly white. Plants perform photosynthesistaking CO2 out of the air, thus when neighborhoods lack areas of green, the air quality worsens. With this, as ocean acidification increases, the amount of CO2 that the ocean is able to absorbs decreases and will plateau. With no CO2 to be absorbed, there is an increase of pollution remaining in the air.
02
Health Impact
It has been shown that low socioeconomic status is commonly linked to lesser accessibility to health insurance. Additionally, research shows that pollutants in the air can lead to negative impacts human health such as worsening asthma and other lung diseases, as well as heart disease. So with these issues, because many communities of color are linked to low socioeconomic status, more people of color in urban areas are at risk for increased health issues.
03
Affect on Boston
Lastly, while CO2 is absorbed into all different kinds of bodies of water, more CO2 is absorbed by water with colder temperatures. Looking at Boston itself, because Boston's waters are connected to the Gulf of Maine, a body of water with an average of 52.6°F (a particularly warm temperature that has risen over the last 10 years) Boston's waters and rivers are more prone to being acidic.
Survey Responses
When conducting a survey for citizens of Boston, we asked questions about ocean acidification knowledge and observations on changes in seafood. Our results are as following:
Solutions
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Carbon Capture
Scientists are actively developing strategies to combat it. One promising approach is Carbon Capture Technology. This method involves trapping carbon dioxide and injecting it deep underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere or the ocean. By reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that dissolves into the ocean, carbon capture helps mitigate ocean acidification.
Massachusetts Action
The Massachusetts government is actively addressing ocean acidification through several initiatives. They are developing programs to monitor acidity levels in coastal regions and funding studies to better understand the effects of ocean acidification.
Community Support
Collective action is essential. Raising awareness in the community is vital to inform individuals about how they can contribute locally. For example, keeping local rivers and streams clean helps reduce excess pollutants, which can worsen environmental degradation. Additionally, supporting effective legislation to combat climate change is just as crucial.
