Analysis Of Carbonate Chemistry Parameters And Impact Of Anthropogenic CO2 On Ocean Acidification In Selected Coastline Sites Of Ghana

Abstract

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved into seawater at coastline has shown some effect on oceanic acidification after the preindustrial period. The coastline surrounded with human activities results to oceans acidity that has proven to affect the oceans’ calcifying organisms. This study was conducted in three selected landing beach sites of Ghana coastline to determine the concentrations of CO2, carbonate ions (CO32- ), partial pressures of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and pH for 12 months, and the impact of anthropogenic CO2 on oceanic the oceanic acidification from the sampled sites within the year. The result from sampled sites showed that dissolved CO2 concentration and other evaluated parameters were clearly different in each month and at every sampled site. High CO2 concentration was determined in the months of January and February, and June from different sites. Total mean amount per a year for the sites showed a dissolved CO2 concentration of 16.19 ± 1.73, CO32- concentration of 143.21 ± 21.12 µmol/kg, pCO2 of 600.36 ± 131.92 and pH of 8.01 ± 0.20. Correlation relationship showed an increase of anthropogenic CO2 dissolved into seawater decreased pH at all the study sites, indicating that ocean acidification of seawater at the sites had increased from earlier projections. It was therefore concluded that the anthropogenic CO2 at sites induces rise of ocean acidification, which could pose danger to marine organisms in the studied areas. Continue decrease of pH low harvest of fishes and the calcification rates of other sea organisms