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Students first observe the effect that atmospheric carbon dioxide has on the pH of simulated seawater. Next, they investigate the effect that temperature has on the solubility of carbon dioxide in seawater by heating samples of acidified and non-acidified simulated seawater and observing changes in pH. Finally, students measure the change in mass of crushed coral placed in an acidified solution for 5 days, to examine how calcium carbonate structures are affected by increasing ocean acidity.

Product Details
In this series of laboratory activities, students investigate ocean acidification. First, they observe the effect that atmospheric carbon dioxide has on the pH of simulated seawater when it is absorbed. Next, students investigate the effect that temperature has on the solubility of carbon dioxide in seawater by heating samples of acidified and non-acidified simulated seawater and observing changes in pH as an indicator of changes in dissolved carbon dioxide. Finally, students measure the change in mass of crushed coral placed in an acidified solution for 5 days, to examine how calcium carbonate structures are affected by increasing ocean acidity. Kit includes materials for 16 groups of students.

Unit Connection
This laboratory investigation correlates to Unit 9: Global Change, topic 9.7: Ocean Acidification in the AP® Environmental Science Course and Exam Description.

Standards Connection
This kit addresses the following A® Environmental Science concepts:
Big Idea 4: Sustainability (STB). Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required. The management of resources is essential. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.

• STB-4 Local and regional human activities can have impacts at the global level.
• STB-4.H Explain the causes and effects of ocean acidification.
• STB-4.H.1 Ocean acidification is the decrease in pH of the oceans, primarily due to increased CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere, and can be expressed as chemical equations.
• STB-4.H.2 As more CO₂ is released into the atmosphere, the oceans, which absorb a large part of that CO₂, become more acidic.
• STB-4.H.3 Anthropogenic activities that contribute to ocean acidification are those that lead to increased CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere: burning of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and deforestation.
• STB-4.H.4 Ocean acidification damages coral because acidification makes it difficult for them to form shells, due to the loss of calcium carbonate.

Time Requirements
Teacher Preparation (before class):

• Prelab: 60 minutes
• Investigation 1: Before Day 1, 60–90 minutes; Lab Day, 30 minutes
• Investigation 2: Before Day 1, 10 minutes; Lab Day, 30 minutes
• Investigation 3: At least 2 days before Day 1, 40 minutes; Lab Day, 20 minutes

• Prelab: 20–60 minutes
• Investigation 1: Setup, 10–30 minutes; Experiment, 30 minutes
• Investigation 2: 20–50 minutes
• Investigation 3: Lab Day 1, 30 minutes; Lab Day 5, 20 minutes; Lab Day 6, 20 minutes
• Free-Response Questions: 60 minutes

Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support instruction. Digital resources may include teacher manual and student guide, prelab activities and setup videos, simulations, and postlab analysis and assessments.

Prior Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with the following skills or concepts:

• Acids, bases, and the pH scale
• Using a balance
• Carbon cycle
• Food webs and ecosystems

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