A classroom/laboratory activity to learn about the pH of ocean water, explore the potential effects of climate change on ocean acidification, and understand the possible impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms such as oysters.
Students will explore and analyze the relationship between the growth of oyster larvae and the chemistry of ocean water (aragonite saturation state) by plotting graphs for actual data from the Whiskey Creek Hatchery in Oregon, USA.
Use this tool to help your students find answers to:
- If ocean water became more acidic, how might it affect oyster populations?
- What are the possible impacts of climate change on the chemistry of seawater?
About the Tool
| Tool Name | Ocean Acidification and Oysters Lab |
| Discipline | Chemistry |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | pH Scale, Acids and Bases, Acidification, Ocean Carbonate Chemistry, Seawater Chemistry, Aragonite Saturation State, Ocean Acidity |
| Climate Topic | Climate and the Hydrosphere |
| Type of Tool | Laboratory Activity |
| Grade Level | High School, Undergraduate |
| Location | North America |
| USA | |
| Language | English |
| Translation | |
| Developed by | Hilary Palevsky, UW Oceanography |
| Hosted at | Program on Climate Change, College of the Environment, University of Washington |
| Link | https://pcc.uw.edu/education/classroom-resources/climate-teaching-modules/uwhs-atms-211-ocean-acidification-and-oysters-lab/ |
| Access | Online, Offline |
| Computer Skills | Intermediate |
(Image credit: Program on Climate Change, College of the Environment, University of Washington)
