Since 7.0 is neutral on the pH scale, going from 8.2 to 8.1 really shouldn’t be called acidification.
If it’s happening, it’s a case of the ocean becoming slightly less alkaline, not more acidic.
Since the pH scale wasn’t invented till the 20th century, I doubt anybody made measurements in the 17th,
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jorgekafkazar says:
One omission is the definition of pH: A pH of 8.1 sounds very close to 7.0 (neutral), but it is not. pH values are calculated in powers of 10. The hydrogen ion concentration of a solution with pH 7.0 is 10 times larger than in a solution with pH 8.0. The pH of a solution is equal to to the negative logarithmic (base 10) value of the Hydrogen ion (H+) concentration.
In pure, neutral water, the concentration of hydrogen and hydroxide ions are both (10)^-7 equivalents per liter, and the pH is, accordingly, 7.0
when the pH is 7 to 14, the solution is basic (alkaline)
when the pH is 0 to 7, the solution is acidic
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ph-d_483.html
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Jimbo says:
The public are often misled by ocean acidification. Many think that the sea would actually become acidic. Here is what the Warmists at the Catlin Survey have to say on the FAQs page.
“Why is it called Ocean Acidification? The ocean is alkaline and model predictions suggest it will never become acidic.
Acidification refers to the process of the lowering of the ocean’s pH on the pH scale. If the ocean’s pH falls it is referred to as acidification regardless of whether the water remains alkaline i.e. above pH 7. To understand this, consider a temperature change of -200C to -100C. The temperature is still warming despite -100C still being below freezing.”
Here is a fierce response to the Warmists:
http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/global/acid.htm