SOMEONE, please save me! The acidity of a substance relates to the proportion of free hydrogen ions (H+) it contains. Acidity is measured on a logarithmic scale. Even a small decrease in pH of ocean water can cause a large increase in hydrogen ions and acidity. This increase can have grave effects on marine ecosystems. For the last 300 million years, the average pH of the oceans has been 8.2. Today, the average pH is 8.1. Using the hydrogen ion concentrations, what is the percent increase in acidity of the ocean in the past compared to today?

Many marine organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells or skeletons are negatively impacted by increasing CO2 levels and decreasing pH in seawater. For example, increasing ocean acidification has been shown to significantly reduce the ability of reef-building corals to produce their skeletons.

The average pH today is 8.1, with 7.9 × 10-9 moles per liter of hydrogen ions. The original average pH was 8.2, with 6.3 × 10-9 moles per liter of hydrogen ions.

Using the formula, the percent increase in the number of hydrogen ions from then to now would be computed this way:

The hydrogen ion concentration and acidity of the ocean has increased by 25%.

Explanation: