Acids and Bases

Applying Acids and Bases

Acids, bases, and buffers are a part of many aspects of life. From body systems to geology and manufacturing, they are virtually everywhere and benefit our lives in many ways. However, acids are sometimes harmful.

In the past 200 years, human activities have led to a drastic increase in the carbon dioxide CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere. Polluters release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, mainly through the burning of fossil fuels.

Coral Organisms; Calcium Carbonate Skeletons

Ocean organisms, such as these, require a particular ocean pH level to grow. How has human activity impacted this important ecosystem?

This excessive carbon dioxide production has, in turn, led to an increase in the CO₂ concentration in oceans. This excess CO₂ reacts with the ocean water to form carbonic acidglossary term (opens in a new window) (H₂CO₃):

CO2+ H2O→H2CO3${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{+ H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CO}}_{\text{3}}$

The result is that our oceans are becoming less basic, a process referred to by scientists as ocean acidification. Even though the decrease in pHglossary term (opens in a new window) seems small, a total decrease of about 0.1 has a huge effect on marine life. Marine animals rely on carbonate ions to form their hard shells. With higher concentrations of carbonic acid, there are fewer carbonate ions available for marine animals to grow their shells. Sea animals are dissolving away in the acidic oceans. What can you do to help?

Destroying Our Oceans

Human activities such as habitat destruction, overfishing, and carbon dioxide emissions are destroying Earth's oceans. How do we stop further ocean acidification?

Marine biologists study how marine life interacts with the marine environment. Conservation ecologists study the impact humans have had on the environment and look to find ways to minimize our impact and to conserve the planet’s vast resources. People in these careers work together to understand ocean acidification and find ways to protect an ecosystem that plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.

STEM and Acids, Bases, and Buffers

Acids, bases, and buffers are naturally found in the human body and in the foods people eat. Scientists use the unique properties of acids and bases for food processing and for the development of medications and other drugs.

Acid and baseglossary term (opens in a new window) technology ranges from improving foods’ taste and shelf life to conducting pharmaceutical research and the development of drugs. While some food production is considered to be an art form, baking is a science. Bakers need to pay close attention to the balance between acids and bases when they are making cakes, cookies, and biscuits. The reaction between acids and bases produces salt and water, and when this water vaporizes at high baking temperatures, it causes the baked goods to expand and rise. Too much of either ingredient can have disastrous results.

Baking in a Professional Kitchen

This baker needs to follow her recipe very carefully to achieve perfectly baked goods. What would happen if she forgot to include the acids and bases in her recipe?

Many of the common over-the-counter medications are made of acids or bases. When you have a stomachache or heartburn, you may take an antacid, which contains a baseglossary term (opens in a new window) to neutralize the excess acid in your stomach. One familiar acid developed in a lab is acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, which is used as a painkiller.

Hands-On Activity: Carbon Dioxide, Ocean Acidity, and Marine Life