Virtual Urchin Lab
Essential Question: The ocean covers 2/3 of the planet- Is it really possible that humans are changing the chemistry of the ocean?
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1. Carbon in the Air: What does the graph of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide tell us?
> shows CO2 levels measured at the Mauna Loa ovservatory in Hawaii from 1958-2008
> shows CO2 levels measured at the Mauna Loa ovservatory in Hawaii from 1958-2008
2. Ph Scale: Where do some common items fall on the pH scale? Take a screen shot of your final answers and paste below:
3: Ocean pH: How might it change? A change from 8.2 to 8.1 on the pH scale is a 30% increase in acidity.
4: Carbon in the Water: Explain what happens to Carbon in ocean water.
> The chemical reactions shown here are equilibrium reactions, meaning that they can occur in both directions. Here, the thickness of the arrows indicates the realtive likelihood that the reaction will occur in that direction. So, for example, when CO2 enters the water it tends to combine with water molecules to form carbonic acid; the reverse reaction also occurs, but less frequently. Under increased CO2 conditions, the equilibrium reactions shift; this is seen as a change in the relative thickness of the arrows.
> The chemical reactions shown here are equilibrium reactions, meaning that they can occur in both directions. Here, the thickness of the arrows indicates the realtive likelihood that the reaction will occur in that direction. So, for example, when CO2 enters the water it tends to combine with water molecules to form carbonic acid; the reverse reaction also occurs, but less frequently. Under increased CO2 conditions, the equilibrium reactions shift; this is seen as a change in the relative thickness of the arrows.
5: Exploring Carbon Levels and Effects: Look over the interactive and describe what happens at each of the levels:
> As the year increases the CO2 increases with the year. The coral calcification gets thinner.
> As the year increases the CO2 increases with the year. The coral calcification gets thinner.
Scenario 1: Optimistic
> same as number 5
> same as number 5
Scenario 2: Optimistic
The CO2 increase more and the pH levels decrease a lot. The coral calcification makes it thinner too.
The CO2 increase more and the pH levels decrease a lot. The coral calcification makes it thinner too.
Scenario 3: Pessimistic
> The CO2 increases alot more and the pH levels decreases alot too. The coral calcification is alot thinner.
> The CO2 increases alot more and the pH levels decreases alot too. The coral calcification is alot thinner.
6: Diversity of Life in the Sea: Sort each of the organisms into Calcifiers or Non-Calcifiers. Take a screenshot of your final answer and paste below:
7: Echinoderms Life Cycles and Skeletons: Describe the life cycle of Echinoderms and explain why they are so sensitive to changes in pH.
> First the 2 cell embryo, is off free of parental supervision on its own. Second, it turns into a young sea urchin larvae and find
> First the 2 cell embryo, is off free of parental supervision on its own. Second, it turns into a young sea urchin larvae and find
8: How to Study Ocean Acidification in the Lab - How may ocean acidification impact Sea Urchins in the larval stage? Can you think of any other possible acidification impacts on marine organisms other than calcification?
Welcome to the Ocean Acidification Lab!
1.Look at the first slide under the microscope- Describe what you see.
> What I see is a circle that kind of looks like an eye. There seems to be something little particles towards the right side of the circle.
2. Fill two flasks with sea water and label them with "pH 7.7" and "pH 8.1". Explain why we are using these two pH values for this experiment.
> We are using these two pH values for this experiment because pH 8.1 reflects the pH level today, and pH 7.7 reflects the pH level at the end of the century.
4: What happens to the pH of the first sample when Carbon Dioxide is added? Explain.
> The pH of the first sample becomes lower.
5: Complete the rest of the procedures to prepare slides for study.
6: After making measurements- Find the AVERAGE of each data set
> 463 for pH 7.7 & 513 for pH 8.1
Take a screen shot of the data data/graphs and paste below:
> What I see is a circle that kind of looks like an eye. There seems to be something little particles towards the right side of the circle.
2. Fill two flasks with sea water and label them with "pH 7.7" and "pH 8.1". Explain why we are using these two pH values for this experiment.
> We are using these two pH values for this experiment because pH 8.1 reflects the pH level today, and pH 7.7 reflects the pH level at the end of the century.
4: What happens to the pH of the first sample when Carbon Dioxide is added? Explain.
> The pH of the first sample becomes lower.
5: Complete the rest of the procedures to prepare slides for study.
6: After making measurements- Find the AVERAGE of each data set
> 463 for pH 7.7 & 513 for pH 8.1
Take a screen shot of the data data/graphs and paste below:
Discuss what your data showed: So What?
> Sea urchin larvae in water that is more acidic grows less.
Conclusion: What would these changes do to the adult Sea Urchin population?
> They might be small, sickly or they'll die early.
How would that effect other organisms that depend on these organisms as a source of food? (Sea Otters)?
> They will have less to eat.
What did you learn about Ocean Acidification? Discuss.
> I learned that it doesn't take a lot of change in pH to affect sea life, and that pH change in the ocean, by hurting small organisms, can mess up the entire ecosystem.
> Sea urchin larvae in water that is more acidic grows less.
Conclusion: What would these changes do to the adult Sea Urchin population?
> They might be small, sickly or they'll die early.
How would that effect other organisms that depend on these organisms as a source of food? (Sea Otters)?
> They will have less to eat.
What did you learn about Ocean Acidification? Discuss.
> I learned that it doesn't take a lot of change in pH to affect sea life, and that pH change in the ocean, by hurting small organisms, can mess up the entire ecosystem.