- Burning Fossil Fuel – When fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are burned for energy, huge volumes of CO2 are released into the atmosphere. The pH drops as a result of the seas absorbing this CO2, which then combines with water to generate carbonic acid.
- Deforestation– Through photosynthesis, trees and other plants are essential for taking CO2 from the atmosphere. The planet’s ability to absorb CO2 is decreased by deforestation and changes in land use, which raises atmospheric CO2 levels and subsequently increases the amount of CO2 absorbed by the oceans.
- Industrial Procedures: A few industrial procedures directly emit CO2 into the environment, which raises atmospheric CO2 levels. Other pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, can also indirectly contribute to ocean acidification by raising the acidity of precipitation that eventually makes its way to the seas.
- Agricultural Practises: Nitrogen compounds may be released into the atmosphere as a result of agricultural operations, particularly the usage of synthetic fertilisers. These substances may eventually enter the oceans and cause the oceans to become more acidic.
- Changes in Land Use: Urbanisation and development, two human activities that change land use, can lead to an increase in the discharge of pollutants into the oceans. These contaminants have the potential to alter the chemistry of the ocean and accelerate acidification.
- Natural Process – While human activities are the main causes of the current ocean acidification, natural processes can also affect the pH of the ocean. For instance, volcanic activity contributes to short-term changes in ocean acidity by releasing CO2 and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere.