The Project

Ocean acidification is linked to the oceanic absorption of approximately 30% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The future evolution of ocean acidification depends on the trajectory of atmospheric CO2 over the coming decades and associated climate change.

In this data visualization project historical and future projections of ocean acidification markers from Earth System Model experiments are displayed.

Explore the Data

Historical and future model projections performed by the CMIP5 models can be explored in an intuitive fashion across a variety of interactive visualizations, including spatial and temporal distribution, carbon budgets and relative changes in global and regional scales.

Carbonate Chemistry

Different carbonate chemistry species are involved in the reactions that result in the reduction of seawater pH. These reactions are explained here, along with the relative proportion of these species and the contribution of aerosols and rivers to coastal acidification.

Earth System Models

Model projections are performed using Earth System Models, complex numerical architectures that allow the present and future projection of climate variables on a global scale. These numerical tools are explained in this section along with the context in which they are used and relevant UN IPCC standards.

Carbonate chemistry species and the reactions among them

Relative proportions of ocean acidification compounds.

Contribution of aerosols and rivers to ocean acidification

Basic components and climate variables included in Earth System Models

Description of Earth System Model families used in this project

Model resolution of the oceanic grid in different Earth System Models

Definition of the future simulations in terms of atmospheric CO2 and fossil fuel emissions.

Global Distribution of ocean acidification markers at historical and future scenarios.

Time series of variables from 1861 to 2100 in high and low carbon future projections.

Transects along the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceanic basins for the relevant ocean acidification variables.

Latitudinal sections in historical and future simulations on the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian ocean.

Carbon budgets on the historical and future projections.

Changes in ocean acidification markers from historical to future scenarios on a regional scale.

ACIDOSCOPE

Future Model Projections of Ocean Acidification Markers