Introduction to CO2 Chemistry in Seawater Part 1

Over the past twenty years, accurate measurement of the seawater carbon dioxide system has become a high priority for scientists who have worked to understand just how much of the carbon dioxide created by man's activities has ended up in the ocean, where it is distributed, and how it has changed the chemistry of the oceans; a process known as ocean acidification. Andrew G. Dickson, Professor of Marine Chemistry at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography UC San Diego, has been measuring carbon dioxide in seawater for over 30 years. In this two-part series, he introduces the basic chemical processes underlying the study of carbon dioxide in the oceans, and provides an overview of the experimental techniques that are in use to measure the levels of carbon dioxide in seawater indicating how a newcomer to this field might make decisions as to what research tools best suit them. Series: "Scientific Horizons
" [4/2012] [Science] [Show ID: 23499]

[DamianBloodstone]

A wonderful session of the course. I could understand his formulas, graphs, and meaning of his lecture.

[davidhilderman]

This answers why studies a couple of decades ago that concluded ocean acidification would harm shellfish were completely wrong since they reduced the pH by adding HCl which reduced carbonate, whereas if they had bubbled CO2 through the water as was done in later studies, the pH would have dropped and carbonate levels increased which would have given similar results to more current studies where some shell production of species were enhanced and most had no effect.

[HCBCHEMISTRY]

someone that actually knows chemistry. general chemistry I may add. great job. from another scientist

[philippeburke]

Very clear explanation, thank you Pr Dickson.

[orionnorzagaray]

Great video! Thank you A. Dickson. Greetings

[RtnL]

Opening sequence says this is part 2 but it's really part 1

[johndeitz]

Delivery doesn't get any better than this, thanks. Given the complexity of the problem as seen here and the difficulties of experimentation involving any single organism, let alone an ecosystem, perhaps in situ observations should be the approach? After all we are already doing the experiment world wide.

[craigriglin]

This guy is good! I really enjoyed this lecture even though it’s little too advance for me. I have a couple of questions that are a little off the subject of this hard science lecture. I’m trying to apply these principles in a very practical way. I’m trying to reproduce the conditions of whats happening in the oceans in my aquarium . Only I’m using fresh water not salt aquarium just for simplification. It’s common knowledge bubbling CO2 into an aquarium stimulates amazing amount of plant growth I mean we’re talking a regular Garden of Eden aquascape.The CO2 factor influences plant growth more than temperature, nutrients and even light. I’m making my own CO2 using the old white vinegar baking soda method and bubbling the gas into a bell jar. Than using an atomizer in the water under the bell jar creating a fog to raise into the chamber. Making a kind of acid rain 🌧 cloud effect. The water vapor condenses back in the aquarium water. The problem is testing the carbonic acid with an indicator solution I only get a reading of about 30 ppm, did I just make a faux pas? I can’t seem to get it into the 45 ppm range or greater. The 30 ppm is considered the generally good range for plants without killing off the animals. But I still don’t understand why I can’t get it to go higher. If anyone has some constructive input on this matter I would appreciate it. My other question is if you can get such amazing positive result in an aquarium with CO2 why doesn’t this model apply to the oceans? Thank you for your time take care.

[BasilChota]

What is basic unit of matter in carbon dioxide?

[simonmasters]

I get the two degrees of freedom stuff but just lay the isoclines out on one chart and show the concentrations?! Also surely the physiologists know which species enters the sugar chemistry in photosynthesis?

[garyha]

What if any role does "ocean slowing" play?
_(You can look it up with that term)_

[sssssnake]

Since a good percentage of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves directly into the ocean, is it possible to take carbon dioxide out of the ocean? That way we'd never have to bother filtering all that air, as water will just keep absorbing it and then we'll just keep taking it out.

[samyjoseph]

I have my last geochemistry test tomorrow, I'm desperate lol

[helios]

So is oxygen more than carbon dioxide in seawater?