Ocean acidification

Key question

What is ocean acidification, how is it linked to climate change and why is it so significant in the Arctic region?

Aim

To produce an A-level case study on the topic of ocean acidification in the Arctic Ocean, to include:

• An overview of key processes

• Facts and figures

• Sketch maps and diagrams

• Location-specific information

Starter

Watch the video here. This gives an introduction to the process of ocean acidification, which you will be studying over the next three lessons.

Before you start, get into groups of four. Each person in the group should be allocated a question from the list below, and should concentrate on answering this question while they watch the video clip. After you have finished watching, share your answers with the rest of the group and the class.

Questions

1. Write a summary of the main physical and biological processes that result in carbon being exchanged between the atmosphere and the ocean

2. What are the two reasons why the Arctic Ocean is so vulnerable to ocean acidification?

3. How is human activity contributing to ocean acidification?

4. What impact does ocean acidification have on organisms living in the Arctic Ocean?

• Visit this website about  Catlin Arctic Survey 2010

Main Activity

Your task is to write three blog entries as if you were an ocean acidification scientist in the Arctic Ocean. These will form a case study of ocean acidification research in the Arctic Ocean. Your blog entries should include facts and figures, sketch maps and diagrams drawn by you and if necessary scanned into your blog, and specific location relating to the location and aims of the project. Each entry should be approximately 350 words long but no longer.

The three entries should cover the following aspects of the project:

1.  What is ocean acidification?

An introduction to the issue of ocean acidification including:

• A definition of the term ‘ocean acidification’

• Facts and figures about the process and how it affects organisms living in the ocean

• A diagram to show the process of ocean acidification

2.  What was the project in the Arctic Ocean all about?

Specific information about Dr Helen Findlay’s research project in the Arctic Ocean, including:

• A location map

• The aims of her research

• The techniques that she used

3.  What does the future hold for the Arctic Ocean?

• An explanation of why the Arctic Ocean is particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification, and threats to the ecosystems in this region

• A summary of key findings from Dr Helen Findlay’s research

• Information on how ocean acidification can be prevented

There are many sources of information that you can use to help you write your blog. The Ocean Acidification Reference List document is a good place to start. You might also find Dr Helen Findlay’s own summary of research findings useful, although this is an academic document so the content is quite complex.  

Plenary

What have you learnt so far?

Without looking back at your notes, write down three new facts about ocean acidification during the course of this lesson. Share your ideas with your group or with the rest of the class. You could do this by contributing to a shared document and/or displaying them on the Interactive White Board.

'From the field' Awards - Inspiring fieldwork supported by the RGS-IBG Delivered in collaboration with The Goldsmiths' Company, these awards enable geography teachers to work alongside practioners at the cutting edge of geographical research to develop educational resources for the classroom.