All Science Fair Projects

Aquatic plants and animals

Aquatic plants photosynthesize under water. They absorb the carbon dioxide in the water and release oxygen. This helps to increase the oxygen content in the water, which is then used by aquatic animals for respiration. Through respiration, both plants and animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

This underwater process of the exchange of gases is very similar to the photosynthesis by plants on dry land, and the respiration by both land plants and animals.

The ideal pH level for fishes is between 6.6 to 7.4 whereas the ideal pH level for aquatic plants is between 6 to 9.

Ocean acidification

Industrialization and human activities such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuel has led to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the air. Part of this carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean, thus reducing its pH levels and making it more acidic. A pH drop from 8.18 to 8.10 has been recorded over a period of 250 years.

If this trend should continue, marine life may be adversely affected and this will create a domino effect which will ripple up through the food chain and eventually affect man to a great extent.