Which of the following contributes to ocean acidification?

Ocean acidification is primarily driven by the increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. When CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere, a significant portion of it is absorbed by the oceans. This process leads to a chemical reaction where CO2 reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The increase in hydrogen ions causes the pH level of the ocean to decrease, indicating a more acidic environment.

As a result, it becomes clear how increased levels of carbon dioxide significantly impact the ocean's chemistry, disrupting marine ecosystems and affecting organisms such as coral reefs and shellfish that rely on calcium carbonate for their structure.