Driving cars lowers the pH of the oceans by _______.a. releasing CO2 that dissolves and forms acid in the oceansb. releasing pollutants that lead to smogc. releasing CO that dissolves and forms acid in the oceansd. releasing pollutants that lead to acid rain

Correct answer: a. releasing CO2 that dissolves and forms acid in the oceansThe fuels used in automobiles release gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. Carbon dioxide when dissolved in water forms carbonic acid. So, when the usage of cars is high, these emissions of carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere increase and this leads to the lowering of pH of the oceans as the carbon dioxide present in higher amounts in to atmosphere diffuses into the oceanic waters and form carbonic acid which makes the ocean slightly acidic.\( CO_{}2{}(g) + H_{}2{}O (l) <==> H_{}2{}CO_{}3{}(aq) \)