Question

1. how is carbonic acid formed? 9. how does more carbon dioxide in the air make the oceans more acidic? figure 5. the effect of atmospheric co2 on the ph of seawater. atmospheric co2 (ppm), seawater pco2 (μatm), seawater ph

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) in the atmosphere dissolves in ocean - water and reacts with water ($H_2O$) to form carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$) according to the reaction $CO_2 + H_2O
ightarrow H_2CO_3$. Carbonic acid is a weak acid that can dissociate, releasing hydrogen ions ($H^+$) into the water. An increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions in the ocean leads to a decrease in pH, making the ocean more acidic.

Answer:

When more carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in the ocean, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid dissociates, increasing the concentration of hydrogen ions in the ocean, which lowers the pH and makes the ocean more acidic.