(ca²⁺) and bicarbonate ions (hco₃⁻), which are carried into the oceans by rivers and runoff. this process prevents carbon in rainwater from immediately returning to the atmosphere.
limestone is mostly made of sediment and the fossilized remains of ancient marine organisms.
marine organisms like clams and corals combine co₃²⁻ ions with ca²⁺ ions from weathered rocks to form calcium carbonate (caco₃), which makes up their shells and exoskeletons. when these organisms die, their mineralized parts sink to the ocean floor and become fossilized. over time, fossilized shells and exoskeletons mix with sediment to form carbon - rich rock in a process called limestone formation. carbon can be stored in limestone for millions of years!
how might a rapid increase in atmospheric co₂ levels affect marine organisms? complete the paragraph.
a rapid increase in atmospheric co₂ levels would cause co₂ to dissolve into ocean water and form h₂co₃, which breaks down into h⁺ ions and other ions. as the concentration of h⁺ ions in the water increased, the oceans would become more . this could cause the shells and exoskeletons of some marine organisms to .

Question

(ca²⁺) and bicarbonate ions (hco₃⁻), which are carried into the oceans by rivers and runoff. this process prevents carbon in rainwater from immediately returning to the atmosphere.
limestone is mostly made of sediment and the fossilized remains of ancient marine organisms.
marine organisms like clams and corals combine co₃²⁻ ions with ca²⁺ ions from weathered rocks to form calcium carbonate (caco₃), which makes up their shells and exoskeletons. when these organisms die, their mineralized parts sink to the ocean floor and become fossilized. over time, fossilized shells and exoskeletons mix with sediment to form carbon - rich rock in a process called limestone formation. carbon can be stored in limestone for millions of years!
how might a rapid increase in atmospheric co₂ levels affect marine organisms? complete the paragraph.
a rapid increase in atmospheric co₂ levels would cause  co₂ to dissolve into ocean water and form h₂co₃, which breaks down into h⁺ ions and other ions. as the concentration of h⁺ ions in the water increased, the oceans would become more . this could cause the shells and exoskeletons of some marine organisms to .

Accepted Answer

# Brief Explanations:
1. First blank: A rapid increase in atmospheric $ \text{CO}_2 $ leads to more $ \text{CO}_2 $ dissolving into the ocean (since higher atmospheric concentration drives more dissolution). So the first blank should be "more".
2. Second blank: When $ \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 $ breaks down into $ \text{H}^+ $ ions, the concentration of $ \text{H}^+ $ increases, making the ocean more acidic (because $ \text{H}^+ $ ions lower pH, increase acidity).
3. Third blank: The shells and exoskeletons of marine organisms (made of $ \text{CaCO}_3 $) react with acidic conditions (more $ \text{H}^+ $). The reaction $ \text{CaCO}_3 + \text{H}^+
ightarrow \text{Ca}^{2+} + \text{HCO}_3^- $ (simplified) causes the shells/exoskeletons to dissolve or erode (weaken, decompose, etc.).

# Answer:
First blank: more
Second blank: acidic
Third blank: dissolve (or erode, weaken, decompose - appropriate terms for the breakdown of $ \text{CaCO}_3 $ in acidic conditions)

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