question: What occurs when excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes the oceans to become acidic?
distractor3: desalinization
distractor1: ocean vaporization
distractor2: acid rain
correct_answer: ocean acidification
support: Ocean acidification occurs when excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes the oceans to become acidic. Burning fossil fuels has led to an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then absorbed by the oceans, which lowers the pH of the water. Ocean acidification can kill corals and shellfish. It may also cause marine organisms to reproduce less, which could harm other organisms in the food chain. As a result, there also may be fewer marine organisms for humans to consume.