I don't know just what the article was referring to.  It is true that
dissolving CO2 in water results in a very slightly acidic solution.
However, this has been going on since early in the earth's history, and sea
creatures have been producing shells without any apparent difficulty. Are
they suggesting that more CO2 is dissolving now than in the past?  It's a
good thing that so much atmospheric CO2 does dissolve in the ocean, because
photosynthesis by marine algae at the surface of the ocean is the primary
source of oxygen for the planet.  Both marine and terrestrial life depend
upon it.  If atmospheric CO2 didn't dissolve into the ocean, the only source
of CO2 for marine algae to carry on photosynthesis would be respiration by
marine animal life, and the volume of algae sustainable by that means alone
would not be able to produce enough oxygen to sustain terrestrial life.



----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 12:06 PM
Subject: Question man


> Hey all;-
>     Report in todays paper says that about 50% of the CO2 in the
atmosphere ends up in the oceans. It says this may affect the shells of sea
critters. How will this happen? How does it happen? Is there a time line for
panic? Has it happened before?
>      Q-man
>
> PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is:
[log in to unmask] Please update your records!
>
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