The аverаge pH оf the оceаn is 8.1, it is buffered mainly by carbоnates formed from atmospheric carbon dioxide. If you were to throw hydrogen cyanide into the ocean (do NOT actually do this!), would the hydrogen cyanide be in its neutral acid form, HCN, or would it be in the deprotonated anion base form, -CN? The pKa of hydrogen cyanide is 9.2. The photograph is of the Barrow offshore wind farm, in the Irish sea, taken by the author.