Title: Culturing Phytoplankton: Reducing CO2 Emission, the Cause of

Ocean Acidification

Summary

Ocean acidification affects all of the world's oceans, including the

estuaries and streams around the shore. Fish and other marine animals

are essential to many economies, and ocean-based foods represent the

main source of nutrition for many people all over the world. The burning of

fossil fuels and changes in land use have increased the amount of carbon

dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Our goal is to generate a project called

"cultivating phytoplankton," which will contribute to minimizing the

amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere and turning it into

oxygen. With the help of photosynthesis, phytoplankton convert sunlight

into chemical energy. They do this by having chlorophyll. They ingest

carbon dioxide and discharge oxygen. The phytoplankton is being put in

the plastic bottle, where it will multiply. It will be able to consume carbon

dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen. This project can be implemented as a

design in every establishment. We can put it in a park, garden, terrace,

balcony, gate, and other places. The phytoplankton that is being

cultivated can also be used as fertilizer as it decomposes.

The increase of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is caused

by human activities. One of these activities is burning fossil fuels and

deforestation. Deforestation contributes a large effect to the increased

carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. If forests are cleared, or even

disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The

seawater will absorb the carbon dioxide as it is released into the

atmosphere and reaches the ocean. This allows the seawater to undergo a

chemical process that turns it acidic. The acidification of the ocean is a

process in which the concentration of hydrogen ions increases as a result

of a series of chemical reactions that take place when CO2 is absorbed by

seawater. Carbon dioxide, which is naturally in the atmosphere, dissolves

in seawater. Water and carbon dioxide combine to form carbonic acid

(H2CO3), a weak acid that breaks (or "dissociates") into hydrogen ions

(H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-). The seawater's acidity rises as a

result, and carbonate ions become relatively less common.

Carbonate ions are crucial components of many different kinds of

formations, including the skeletons of coral and seashells. For calcifying

animals, including oysters, clams, sea urchins, and shallow water corals,

decreases in carbonate ions can make building and maintaining shells and
other calcium carbonate structures challenging. The behavior of creatures

that do not produce calcium can also be impacted by these changes in

ocean chemistry. More acidic conditions reduce a fish's capacity to detect

predators. When these species are in danger, the entire food chain could

be in danger as well. In this case, the livelihoods of the fishermen will also

be affected, and the economy of the place will vigorously drop.

We suggest growing phytoplankton to address this issue.

Phytoplankton will aid in reducing the quantity of carbon dioxide before it

reaches the ocean since they absorb carbon dioxide just like trees do. As

a result, the acidity of the seawater will decrease.

II. Beneficiaries

This study may be significant to the ocean and other bodies of

water, aquatic species, individuals, and the environment. The ocean will

no longer increase its acidity. This project aims to lessen the rising

concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, which is causing

ocean acidification. Aquatic species that are being affected will be able to

reproduce again. The fair abundance of marine species will no longer

complicate the ocean food chain. Individuals and human economies that

depend on ecosystem services provided by the ocean will no longer be

threatened by ocean and coastal acidification. The government and the

farmers will also benefit from this project because the phytoplankton that
is being cultivated can be used as fertilizer. This will also be a great help

for our environment, as it will minimize the amount of carbon dioxide in

the atmosphere and help manage plastic bottle waste as it was made as

the container for the cultivation.

III. Problem-Solution

Ocean acidification is the decrease in the pH of the Earth’s ocean. It

possesses a threat to all marine species that could lead to ecological

imbalance. We humans can be affected by this marine environmental

degradation because it will decrease our supply from the marine

ecosystem. The cause of ocean acidification is the dissolution of carbon

dioxide from the air. Humans are the primary carbon dioxide emitter of

carbon dioxide to the air. Burning fossil fuels and the industrial activities

that produce carbon dioxide which will then dissolve to the ocean causing

ocean acidification.

To minimize its impact to our ecosystem, plants and trees take up

carbon dioxide as their food. They capture carbon dioxide, therefore

reducing the overall concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

However, due to human activities like deforestation and illegal logging, a

significant decrease of the number of trees can be observed.

dioxide. Microorganisms like phytoplankton undergoes photosynthesis to

convert carbon dioxide to food. We propose to culture this phytoplankton

to increase their number and reduce the amount of CO2 in the

atmosphere.

The way to culture phytoplankton is very easy and it uses only

localized and recyclable materials. It uses plastic or glass bottles. Not only

it will help reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but also use

plastic in a better way rather than disposing them improperly. These

bottles will serve as the tank for the phytoplankton. It can be put

anywhere where sunlight is available. A phytoplankton culture starter is

needed to start the culture. This project doesn't stop here, over the time

phytoplankton can increase their number inside their tanks. They can be

collected and can be used as feed ingredient and can be fed to fishes. The

estimated cost of this project is extremely low because only recyclable

plastic bottles and a phytoplankton culture starter is needed.

Culturing phytoplankton can be efficient in reducing carbon dioxide

in the atmosphere, and thus reducing the ocean acidification.

1. The researcher recommends to enhance the study of the

phytoplankton fertilizer to determine if it is safe to use if you mix it

with other fertilizers.

2. We recommend to practice this project globally for a widespread

effectiveness of phytoplankton cultivation as an aid of reducing

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

3. We researchers recommend to develop this project into more

efficient and effective way to fight ocean acidification and climate

change in all its aspects.