Revelle effect

The Revelle effect describes how the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) decreases as more CO₂ is added. When CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it increases the water's acidity and causes chemical changes. Initially, the ocean can take up more CO₂ quickly, but over time, chemical reactions slow down this absorption. This means the ocean's ability to act as a carbon sink diminishes as CO₂ levels rise, influencing how much CO₂ remains in the atmosphere and affecting climate change. It highlights the complex, dynamic interaction between the ocean and atmospheric CO₂.