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4005 BCE
Abiotic Factors of an Ecosystem
About 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was formed, which included the ocean. Some abiotic factors in the ocean could include rocks, temperature, and maybe even dissolved gasses. Abiotic features are very important to how the ocean works and lives. -
Burning of Fossil Fuels
In 1750, humans burned fossil fuels for the time, it was revolutionary, they didn't think of the consequences after doing so. The industrial revolution started in 1790, which expanded the burning of fossil fuels all across the world. -
Increased Carbon Dioxide
The rise in CO2 in the air was been increasing ever since. In just 1980, half of the rise in CO2 since the industrial revolution has occurred. This has led to a huge increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere. -
Dissolved Carbon Dioxide decreased pH of the ocean causing acidification
Between the years of 1751 and 1996, the pH levels in the ocean has decreased from 8.25 to 8.14 due to the CO2 dissolving into the ocean. The CO2 dissolves into the ocean causing the water to become more acidic. -
Ocean acidification damaged corals and other calcifiers weakening their shells, preventing their growth, and causing them to die
The high amounts of CO2 in the water has caused coral reefs great trouble. They can't grow, the CO2 is causing their shell to become weaker, which makes the algae leave, which causes it to die. -
Summary
In conclusion, the burning of fossil fuels causes CO2 to be released into the air. this causes water to become more acidic. In a long chain of events, this could affect the coyote's prey and the pH levels of it's blood.
