Why Should We Care?

As you have now seen, acids are present in our ocean and there is significant concern that the pH of the ocean is becoming more acidic due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

However, acids and bases are very important for other reasons, as well. They have a wide range of industrial uses, are used to create many of the products we use in our daily lives and are present in many of our foods.

Acids and bases have also had important effects on the environment, beyond ocean acidification. In past decades, air pollution has resulted in acid precipitation. This phenomenon has damaged many ecosystems, mostly in eastern North America and Europe.