Question

What effect does the absorption of carbon dioxide have on the hydrosphere?

Answer 1

Decrease in pH and upsetting biotic component of ecosystems

Explanation:

The hydrosphere is the largest carbon-sink in the global carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide dissolves in water in a series of reversible reactions to create first carbonic acid, and then the hydrogen carbonate and carbonate ions.

These ions are necessary sources of carbon for plant life and shelled organisms - however as the amount of carbon increases in the water, so does the concentration of hydrogen ions. The acidification of the hydrosphere causes the shells of organisms to dissolve, placing a large stress on their population and wreaking havoc on the various ecosystems as these creatures decrease in numbers.