Human behavior has an obvious impact on nature and how nature accords economic value to humans. One of such effects on nature out of human activities is ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is an imminent threat to the normal way of life for humans. The acidification problem is a paradox in that it is humans that have brought it and in a turn of events, it is turning back on us. The effects of acidification are being felt by marine animals whose biological functions are interrupted. With such kinds of interruption on biological processes, it follows that the performance of organisms falls below the required thresholds. When the marine animals are of economic importance huge losses are incurred. This paper will evaluate the relationship that exists between human activities, acidification and the effect the two have on oysters, which are important marine animals to marine farmers.
Human activities are the genesis of ocean acidification. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2015, p1) has outlined major sources of carbon dioxide which is the most destructive emission of human activities where in the U.S., it accounted for 82% of all the emissions. EPA has quantified the contribution of major human activities contributing to carbon dioxide emissions and it is apparent that electricity generation accounts for the largest share of emissions at 37%. Electricity generation uses coal which is ‘dirty’ source of power. Transportation and industry contributed 31% and 15% respectively in total carbon emissions in 2013. Another aspect of human activities that contribute to poor carbon absorption in natural means is the destruction of forests which act as carbon sinks.
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With carbon dioxide in the environment, and with nowhere to go as forests have been destroyed, carbon dioxide gets absorbed by ocean water. Over long periods of time, the water sink in, several feet down and at this time, the water is of very low pH (acidic). Due to the conventional currents, and constant wind blowing across the ocean surface consequently pushing surface water away from the West coast, deep, cold water, which is obviously acidic gets drawn up to replace the windblown water as it can be seen from the supplementary visual. In the end, carbon dioxide which was absorbed by the sea shows up on the West Coast 30 years later which means that the effects of releasing carbon dioxide into the environment stays with humans for more time than imagined.
With acidic water on the West Coast, after decades of accumulation and movement, the water gets to impact its effects on oysters and oyster farmers. Acidic water does not allow the formation of calcium carbonate which is has been identified as the building blocks of marine life. Due to the reduced levels of calcium carbonate, it becomes very difficult for marine animals such as oysters to grow shells and skeletons. Due to the need for survival, the oysters, especially in their first few days in life, will expend all their energy towards the unsuccessful growing of shells and skeletons, a process that leads to their death. Welch (2013, p1) explained that when the same happened in the West Coast, oysters died in huge numbers due to the lack of important minerals in the now acidic water. The death of the oysters is a blow to oyster farmers as it waters down their investments which have been done over the years.
In essence, the trouble facing oyster farmers is a challenge that started gathering more than 30 years ago. Over time, human activities added significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere while at the same time, they reduced the natural carbon dioxide sinks. This left the carbon dioxide with nowhere to go other than in the oceans where it has been accumulating over time causing acidic water. The movement of water in the ocean has brought the acidic water from deep down the oceans to the surface on the west coast. With acidic water on the west coast, oysters cannot form shells and skeletons within normal parameters and they die off trying to extract important minerals from the acidic sea water which consequently has a negative effect on the farmers.
Works Cited
US Environmental Protection Agency. “Overview of Greenhouse Gases.” US EPA , 23 Dec. 2015, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases .
Welch, Craig. “Oysters Dying as Coast Is Hit Hard | Sea Change.” The Seattle Times , 2013, http://apps.seattletimes.com/reports/sea-change/2013/sep/11/oysters-hit-hard/ .
