More or Less: Behind the Stats Have the oceans become 30% more acidic?
May 7, 2022
Tim Harford dives into the alarming world of ocean acidification, unpacking the significance of pH changes and their logarithmic scale. Discover how a seemingly small decline in pH translates to a staggering 30% increase in acidity over recent years. Explore the dire consequences for marine life, including coral reefs and shellfish, as acidity rises by 43% since pre-industrial times. This thought-provoking discussion calls for a deeper understanding of these changes and their implications for marine ecosystems and food security.
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Understanding the pH Scale
- Ocean acidification is measured using the pH scale, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline).
- A pH drop from 8.2 to 8.1, while seemingly small, represents a significant change in acidity.
Logarithmic Nature of pH
- The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each unit change represents a tenfold difference in hydrogen ion concentration.
- Even small pH drops signify large acidity increases, explaining the 30% increase despite a 0.1 drop.
Updated Acidity Figures
- Initial 30% estimates of increased acidity are outdated.
- Newer data indicates a 43% rise since pre-industrial times, based on a pH drop to 8.05.