Gouache, pen on Bristol board.
12" x 15." - February 2015
"Ocean Acidification happens when carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by seawater, causing chemical reactions to occur which reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and most importantly calcium carbonate minerals. Calcium carbonate minerals are important for marine organisms who depend on it as building blocks for their skeletons and shells, such as shellfish, corals, and small zooplankton called Pteropods (major food source for many industrial fish, and greater organism such as whales) . However, ocean acidification is causing many parts of the ocean to become depleted of these minerals, in return affecting the ability of these organisms to produce and maintain their shells, negatively impacting their populations, and marine life who depend on these organisms."
- Source: NOAA article, What is Ocean Acidification?