Activity

Why Should I Care?: Show How Increased Carbon Dioxide Makes the Ocean More Acidic

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

How does a change in pH affect the ocean ecosystem? Scholars explore the idea by making an acid-base indicator in part seven of the 10-installment Discover Your Changing World series. First, they explore impacts of carbon dioxide in marine environments. Then, they create an acid-base indicator and determine what changes in the solution when carbon dioxide is added and ultimately conclude that carbon dioxide directly affects the level of acidity in the oceans.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Test other substances for acidity/alkalinity with the indicator
  • Have learners research negative effects of ocean acidification on a specific marine organism
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires materials that may not be found in a typical classroom
Pros
  • Engaging, hands-on activity holds students' interest
  • Indicator is great to use in a variety of science applications
Cons
  • None
Common Core