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.
Green blue ocean coast

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.

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.
SeaFET V2 instrument

Our most trusted ocean acidification solutions

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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