I found David Scheeff’s letter (“Looking for answers,” Jan. 26) extraordinarily refreshing. He stated the facts as he knows them and asked questions to explore possibilities. To answer one of his questions, I cannot answer the others.
The chemistry should indeed be simple: Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is dissolving in the ocean’s water to produce the weak acid carbonic acid. Because the ocean is alkaline, the buildup of carbon dioxide slowly brings its waters closer to neutrality, but the oceans are massive, even though the carbon dioxide is accumulating rapidly.
While the impact of ocean acidification is a hot topic of research worldwide, the complexity is astounding, and answers may not be forthcoming for decades, if not centuries. These are the time scales climate scientists use to track change, not the daily, weekly, or even seasonal weather observations of the senators Mr. Scheeff alludes to. And the ocean’s complexity renders the chemistry difficult rather than simple. This could be a wild ride. Alas, I won’t be here to experience most of it.