Question

1. an increase in co₂ in the ocean causes an increase in:

caco3.
o2.
h+ ions.
ph.
h2o.

Explanation:

When \(CO_2\) dissolves in ocean water, it forms carbonic acid (\(H_2CO_3\)) through the reaction \(CO_2 + H_2O
ightleftharpoons H_2CO_3\). Carbonic acid then dissociates: \(H_2CO_3
ightleftharpoons H^+ + HCO_3^-\). An increase in \(CO_2\) leads to more \(H^+\) ions being produced. Calcium carbonate (\(CaCO_3\)) levels decrease as \(H^+\) reacts with carbonate ions (\(CO_3^{2 -}\)) (related to ocean acidification). Oxygen (\(O_2\)) is not directly increased by \(CO_2\) in this context. pH is inversely related to \(H^+\) concentration (\(pH=-\log[H^+]\)), so more \(H^+\) means lower pH. Water (\(H_2O\)) is a reactant in the initial \(CO_2\) dissolution but its net increase is negligible compared to the \(H^+\) ion production from the acid - base reactions.

Answer:

\(H^+\) ions.