Ocean Chemistry Science Story

Information about this Science Story

Resources: 39 Suitable Ages: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Topics: Ocean Temperature, Acidification

Objectives and Outcomes

Describe the pathways through which pollutants from land-based activities, such as farming, enter freshwater and marine ecosystems (e.g., through runoff, leaching, or atmospheric deposition).
Analyse the chemical changes that occur in aquatic environments when common agricultural pollutants are introduced and explain their short- and long-term effects.
Explain the causes of ocean acidification, including the contribution of agricultural practices, and assess its ecological and socio-economic consequences.
Summarise and interpret the main ideas and supporting details of a journalistic article on ocean acidification and communicate the key findings to a target audience using appropriate language.
Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of individuals, agricultural industries, policymakers, and scientists in mitigating the impact of farming on water chemistry and debate possible solutions through group discussions.

Introductory gif of ProBleu Science Story

Meet the team

The scientists/ educators behind this Science Story:

Name: Professor Andy Rees .
Role: Marine biogeochemist .
Description: Professor Andy Rees is a senior research scientist, leader of the UK Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) project and the coordinator for PML impact activities related to the promotion of “Cleaner Seas for Nature and Society” .

Name: Jasmin Dorinda .
Role: Postgraduate researcher .
Description: Jasmin’s PhD titled “Greenhouse Gases in River Catchments to Coastal Seas’ aims to address knowledge gaps in the production and transport of greenhouse gases from freshwater systems into the coastal and marine environment .

Name: Lily Anna Stokes .
Role: Postgraduate researcher .
Description: Lily Anna is a PhD student at Plymouth Marine Lab, working alongside Plymouth University and DEFRA to assess ocean acidification impacts around the UK and policy development .

How can agriculture affect marine chemistry?

Background

Teaching ocean chemistry is important because it connects key science topics, such as chemical reactions, ecosystems, climate change, and human impacts on the environment .
Exploring how the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and how processes like acidification and eutrophication occur helps students apply core chemistry and biology concepts to real-world challenges . .. . It also encourages critical thinking about global sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the vital role oceans play in supporting life on Earth .

Downloadable Science Story

This Science Story includes videos and activities that link to each other. Videos in this lesson plan provide background knowledge for the activities. We suggest watching the videos and choosing the activities that best suit your class or adapting them to suit your class.

Please check the teacher’s notes in the notes section on each slide.