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It’s been a rough half-century for coral reefs. Corals are threatened by polluted water, warmer-than-usual temperatures that cause bleaching events, disease, invasive species, overfishing, and direct destruction by humans. Since the 1950s, scientists estimate over half of the world’s coral reefs have disappeared.

Amid all of these problems, a new threat is emerging that may have implications far beyond coral reefs. As the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, the amount of carbon dissolved in the oceans increases as well. Dissolved carbon reacts with water to form carbonic acid. The excess of carbonic acid lowers ocean pH and makes it harder for marine organisms, including coral, to build their calcium carbonate skeletons and shells.

Students can learn more about this threat and explore possible solutions with the Ocean Carbon Equilibrium STEM Case, which is designed for high school and AP students. In this STEM Case, students will see how core chemistry concepts such as equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s Principle are applied in a real-world example. Hopefully this will inspire your students to think about how they can help preserve coral reefs in their own way!