Seawater pH

Seawater pH measures how acidic or alkaline the ocean is, on a scale from 0 to 14. Most seawater has a pH around 8, meaning it's slightly alkaline. This balance is maintained partly by the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, which forms carbonic acid and can lower pH. When excess CO₂ is absorbed, seawater becomes more acidic, which can affect marine life like corals and shellfish that rely on stable pH levels to build their shells and skeletons. Monitoring seawater pH helps track ocean health and the impact of climate change.