Alejandra Ventura

AP Environmental Science
Period 1

The Effects of Temperature on pH in Water
Introduction
Ocean acidification is a decrease of pH in the ocean. This decrease happens over a period of time
due to an increase in CO
2
. CO
2
(carbon dioxide) is absorbed into the ocean from the atmosphere.
When carbon dioxide (CO
2)
enters the water (H
2
O), it dissolves and creates carbonic acid
(H
2
CO
3
). The carbonic acid then dissociates, making hydrogen ions (H
+
) and bicarbonate
(HCO
3
) that are released into the ocean. Over a long period of time (many decades), there has
been an escalation in the amount of CO
2
in the atmosphere, which has caused there to be more
CO
2
absorbed into the ocean. This increase creates more acidic hydrogen ions which, as a result
makes, makes the ocean more acidic.
Experimental Question
The purpose of this lab is to find out how carbon dioxide (CO
2
) affects water in different
temperatures. We will test this by exhaling carbon dioxide into a beaker of water (because as we
know, humans take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide) for two continuous minutes. During
this time, we will monitor and record the amount of pH, as shown with the universal indicator
and the color chart. This release of CO
2
by humans mimics the gas exchanges that occur between
Earths oceans and atmosphere.
Pre-Lab Questions: Bubbles Protocol
1. What gas are you blowing into the water?
We are blowing carbon dioxide (CO
2
) into the water.
2. What happens to the gas when you blow it into the water?
When we blow the carbon dioxide into the water, it dissolves in the water and forms
carbonic acid. The more carbonic acid there is present, the more acidic the water is.
3. How are you measuring change in the water during this lab?
I am measuring change in the water by adding a universal indicator for pH and recording
the color and pH in thirty second intervals within the two minutes of carbon exposure.
4. What does measuring the pH of the water tell us?
Measuring the pH of the water tells us how acidic the water is, due to the carbonic acid
created from the carbon dioxides reaction in the water.
5. After studying the reactions above, how do you think carbonic acid will affect the pH of
water?
I think the carbonic acid will lower the pH of the water, indicating that the water has
become more acidic.
Hypothesis: Bubbles Protocol
If we add carbon dioxide to water, then the water will become more acidic.
Protocol
First, 100 mL of water were added to a 500 mL beaker. Then, approximately 0.25 mL of the
universal indicator was added to the water and the beaker was covered with clear plastic wrap.
Next, a straw penetrated the plastic wrap and, at the same moment the timer began, carbon
dioxide was exhaled into the water for two minutes (120 seconds). Once the timer began, the
color and pH were recorded every 30 seconds during the full two minutes. The independent
variables were the amount of water, the amount of time the carbon dioxide was added to the
water, and the temperature of the water. The dependent variables were the color of the universal
indicator and the pH levels.
Data Table
Control 0 Sec 30 Sec 60 Sec 60 Sec 120 Sec
pH 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 6.0
Color aqua aqua-green green green-yellow yellow
Experimental A
pH 7.5 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0
Color aqua-blue aqua green green-yellow yellow
Experimental B
pH 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.5
Color dark-aqua blue-green green green-yellow green-yellow
Experimental C
pH 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 6.0
Color aqua aqua-green green green-yellow yellow
Graph

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0 Sec 30 Sec 60 Sec 90 Sec 120 Sec
Control
Exp A
Exp B
Exp C
Data Analysis: (Post-Lab Questions)
1. As you blew through the straw, what were you adding to the water and how did that
change the pH?
As we blew through the straw, we were adding carbon dioxide to the water, which
changed the pH because carbon dioxide dissolves in water to create carbonic acid, which
continually decreases pH as more carbonic acid is created.
2. What did the universal indicator tell us about the water?
The universal indicator told us that the water was becoming more acidic as we added
more carbon dioxide.
3. What does this tell us about the effects of carbonic acid in ocean water?
This tells us that the amount of carbonic acid determines how acidic the ocean is, which
is important to the ecosystems that live there in the sense that, if the water is too acidic,
then many species will not be able to survive, affecting its food chain/web and
essentially, the entire ecosystem. This also tells us that our excess carbon emissions are
negatively affecting the ocean and its ecosystems.
4. Based on the results of your experimental protocol, which factor affects the pH of the
water most, temperature or salt?
Based on the results of my experimental protocol, temperature affects pH more that salt.
The pH levels change more when the temperature is changed. These changes are very
important in terms of the ocean because temperature affects the acidity which determines
the types of species that can live in a specific area.
Conclusion
My initial hypothesis was correct because the pH levels lowered as more carbon dioxide was
added. The exposure of the carbon dioxide in the water created more carbonic acid, lowering the
pH of the water. I learned many things before this experiment about ocean acidification, but this
experience gave me a visual representation of how it actually works.
Alejandra Ventura
AP Environmental Science
Period 1
The Effect of Vinegar on Mussel Shells

Pre-Lab Questions
1. How do organisms make their shells? What are shells made of?
Shells are made when an organism takes in chemicals it needs from the water, and then secretes a
hard shell. The shell can be made of calcium carbonate (CaCO
3
).
2. What do you expect to happen to the shell in an acidic solution such as vinegar?
I expect the shell to slowly dissolve in an acidic solution, because I do not think that the shell is
strong enough to resist the acidic solutions dissolving properties.
3. What are sources of CO
2
and which of these sources are most likely to affect ocean pH?
Some sources of carbon dioxide may be methane breaking down into CO
2
(i.e. cows), green-
house gas emissions by humans, exhalation by plants and animals, and plant decomposition, as
well as others. One likely source to affect ocean pH is green-house gas emission.

Hypothesis: Shells Protocol
If a seashell is placed in vinegar, then the acidic vinegar will dissolve the shell. If a seashell is
placed in seawater, then it will remain the same. The reaction to vinegar is due to its acidity,
which strips the shell of its minerals. There is no reaction in seawater because the sea water is
not acidic, and is also close to the natural environment of the shell. If the shell normally
dissolved in seawater, it wouldnt properly function in its job of protecting the organism that it
covers.
Protocol
First, we labeled the shells with permanent markers. E was written on the experimental shell
and C on the control. Then, we recorded the initial observations of the characteristics of the
shells. Afterward, we found and recorded the starting masses of the shells. Next, we poured 150
mL of vinegar into a 500 mL beaker and 150 mL of salt water into a second 500 mL beaker.
Lastly, a timer was set for 30 minutes, and as the timer began the control shell (C) was placed in
the beaker of salt water and the experimental shell (E) was placed in the beaker of vinegar.
In our data table, we observed and recorded our observations of what happened to the shell while
exposed to the vinegar over time (at 0 minutes and 15 minutes).

The dependent variable was the characteristics of the shell. The independent variables were the
volumes of vinegar and saltwater. The constants were the volumes of liquid, the types of shells,
and the times recorded.

Data Analysis
1. When you immersed the shell in vinegar how did you know that a reaction was happening?
When the shell was immersed in vinegar I knew a reaction was occurring because bubbles
became visible almost instantly once it was placed in the vinegar.
2. How did observing the shell in vinegar relate to how animals are affected by a lower pH of
ocean water?
Observing the shell in vinegar relates to animals because the shells once belonged to an animal,
and so it represents the effect that the low pH has on other organisms.
3. How would shelled organisms be affected by a lower pH of ocean water?
Shelled organisms are affected the lower pH because the acidity of the water dissolves their
shells, as we saw with the vinegar. Their shells protect them and keep them alive, which affects
the food chain and web, as well as their populations. They also would have a harder time making
their shells.
4. What are the primary functions of shell for these animals?
The primary functions of these shells are to protect their bodies. They need protection from
predators and sun rays.
5. Does it cost the animal energy to rebuild or repair their shell?
Yes, it costs the animal energy to rebuild or repair its shell. In order to survive, an organism must
maintain its shell, which uses energy. The animal has to obtain the proper materials to make its
shell and recreate this material as part of its new shell.
Shells Lab Characteristics Initial Mass Final Mass Difference
Control
(Seawater)
Initial: New,
dark
After 15 and 30
minutes: Same
(wet)
4.4 grams 4.4 g 0 g
Experimental
(Vinegar)
Initial: New ,
dark
15 min: bubbles,
little erosion
30 min: bubbles,
erosion inside
and on back,
erosion
4.4 grams 4.3 g 0.1 g

Conclusion
Yes, my initial hypothesis was correct because I predicted that the shell would slowly dissolve,
and it did. I learned how seriously ocean acidification can affect marine life, as well as how
many factors can contribute to ocean acidification.