Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD) Decreases with:
(A) Increasing Latitude (B) Increasing Longitude (C) Decreasing Ocean Temperature (D) Increasing Ocean Temperature (E) Increasing Ocean Acidification
Choose the correct answer:

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) A and E only. The Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD) decreases (becomes shallower) with increasing latitude and increasing ocean acidification.
(B) Explanation:
· Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD) is the depth in the ocean where the rate of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) dissolution equals the rate of supply. Below this depth, calcium carbonate dissolves faster than it accumulates.
· The CCD varies based on factors such as temperature, pressure, and ocean chemistry.
· The typical CCD in the open ocean is around 4,500 meters, but it can vary based on location.
1. Increasing Latitude (A):
· As latitude increases, water temperatures decrease, which reduces the solubility of calcium carbonate, making the CCD shallower.
2. Increasing Ocean Acidification (E):
· Ocean acidification increases the concentration of carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which promotes the dissolution of calcium carbonate. This causes the CCD to become shallower.
Information Booster:
1. Factors Affecting CCD:
· Temperature: Cooler temperatures increase calcium carbonate dissolution.
· Pressure: Higher pressure at greater depths accelerates dissolution.
· Ocean Acidification: Increased CO₂ in seawater lowers pH, causing more carbonate to dissolve.
2. Typical CCD Depth:
· Approximately 4,000 to 5,000 meters in the Atlantic Ocean.
· Shallower in the Pacific Ocean due to higher acidity.
3. Implications:
· A shallower CCD affects marine organisms like foraminifera, coccolithophores, and corals, which rely on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons.
Additional Knowledge:
· (a) Increasing Latitude:
· Correct. Higher latitudes have colder waters, causing the CCD to be shallower.
· (b) Increasing Longitude:
· Incorrect. Longitude does not significantly impact CCD depth.
· (c) Decreasing Ocean Temperature:
· Partially correct, but the effect of latitude is more direct.
· (d) Increasing Ocean Temperature:
· Incorrect. Warmer temperatures generally lower carbonate solubility, making the CCD deeper.
· (E) Increasing Ocean Acidification:
· Correct. More acidic waters lead to higher calcium carbonate dissolution, making the CCD shallower.
Key Points:
1. CCD marks the depth where calcium carbonate dissolves faster than it accumulates.
2. Cold water and high acidity make the CCD shallower.
3. Ocean acidification driven by increased CO₂ affects marine ecosystems.
4. The CCD is critical for understanding the global carbon cycle and marine geology.