Understanding ocean chemistry
Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in seawater pH caused by absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide. When CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, reducing carbonate ions essential for shell-building organisms like corals and mollusks. This chemical shift threatens marine ecosystems, fisheries, and global carbon balance, making continuous monitoring vital for understanding and mitigating climate impacts.
Ocean acidification occurs when seawater absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, lowering pH and altering carbonate chemistry.
Ocean acidification is a chemical shift caused by rising CO₂ levels dissolving into seawater, reducing pH and weakening carbonate ions needed by corals, shellfish, and plankton. These changes ripple through marine ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and global carbon cycles. Measuring pH, alkalinity, and CO₂ concentrations helps scientists track trends, predict impacts, and inform strategies to protect ocean health and sustain fisheries.
Guarding ocean chemistry
Sea-Bird Scientific instruments deliver trusted ocean acidification data
Depth
Depth monitoring helps optimize cage placement and assess environmental conditions.
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Oxygen
Monitor dissolved oxygen to prevent stress and ensure optimal growth in aquaculture.
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pH
Track pH levels to maintain water chemistry and protect fish health and productivity.
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Salinity
Monitor dissolved oxygen to prevent stress and ensure optimal growth in aquaculture.
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Temperature
Control temperature for ideal fish growth and prevent harmful thermal fluctuations.
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Acidification Challenges
Overcoming barriers in ocean acidification monitoring
Ocean acidification research is complex due to fluctuating chemistry, temperature, and biological activity across depths. Accurate monitoring of pH, temperature, salinity, oxygen, and pressure is essential to understand carbonate system shifts and ecosystem impacts. Sea-Bird Scientific’s integrated sensors deliver precise, long-term measurements, enabling scientists to track trends, predict consequences, and develop strategies to protect marine life and global carbon balance.
Deep SeapHOx™ V2 pH Sensor
The Deep SeapHOx™ V2 combines the SeaFET™ V2 pH sensor with the SBE 37 MicroCAT CTD sensor. The...
HydroCAT-EP V2 Multiparameter CTD Sensor
Factory calibration and streamlined reference checks enable users to generate scientifically...
SeapHOx™ V2 Ocean pH Sensor
The SeaFET™ V2 is the next generation pH sensor, upgraded from the original SeaFET™. The sensing...
Making an impact
How our solutions are shaping ocean acidification
Discover how government, academic, and industry leaders use Sea-Bird Scientific instruments to advance research, monitor ecosystems, and shape global water policy.
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