In this interactive tool, students are able to determine and visualize the variable relationship between the average surface ocean pH, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the relative concentrations of carbonate species.
Students can choose different emissions scenarios to see how they will affect the oceans.
Teaching Tips
Positives
It gives background knowledge of ocean acidification.
Students are able to see graphs of the data and how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affects ocean pH.
Additional Prerequisites
Prior to starting this activity, students should have some understanding of ocean acidification how it affects calcium carbonate.
Differentiation
High-level students can create written and oral arguments based on the graphic analysis in order to present solutions to ocean acidification.
The background content provides a number of equations that could be utilized by math classes to connect math to important topics in science and society.
Social studies classes can use this resource at various emissions scenarios to discuss the effects of ocean acidification on human society, connecting climate change to subsistence fishing, the global food supply, and the livelihoods of people all over the world.
Scientist Notes
Educators should take notice of the assumptions stated in the resource. Aside from that, there is no contradiction and the resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Science and Engineering
ETS1: Engineering Design
HS-ETS1-4 Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
HS-LS2-4 Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystem.
HS-LS2-6 Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
