Ocean acidification and eggshells
In this activity, students observe how chicken eggs can be used to simulate the potential effects of increasing ocean acidity on marine animals with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, for example, bryozoans and cockles.
Ocean acidification
Our oceans are absorbing about one-third of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As a result, they are becoming more acidic. Associate Professor Abby Smith, from the University of Otago, is researching the role that bryozoans can play in monitoring these changes in pH.
Point of interest
Discuss what is meant by the term ‘canary in the coal mine’.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
understand about ocean acidification and the possible impacts on shelled marine animals
conduct an experiment that tests the effects of solutions of varying pH on eggshells.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
discussion questions
extension ideas.
Related content
Associate Professor Abby Smith is passionate about bryozoans and talks about how she is using this tiny marine organism to help monitor the impacts of ocean acidification.
