Ocean acidification
As levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have continued to increase since the Industrial Revolution, so does these levels in the ocean. The ocean absorbs about 25-30% of the carbon dioxide from the air, and consequently the water acidifies, meaning there is a decrease in pH.
Before the Industrial Revolution, the ocean’s pH was 8.2, now, it’s 8.1 – a seemingly small change but actually a 30% increase in acidity. This shift is the fastest in 50 million years. Without drastic reductions in carbon emissions, the ocean could become 120% more acidic by 2100, reaching levels not seen in over 20 million years.
How does this affect marine life?
Ocean acidification threatens marine life as it becomes harder for calcifying organisms like shellfish and corals to build and maintain their calcium carbonate structures, leading to the corrosion or dissolution of their shells and skeletons.
Ocean acidification can also impact non-calcifying organisms. Certain fish, like salmon, struggle to detect predators and prey due to altered brain chemistry. This disruption can cascade through the food web, putting larger predators, including whales and sharks, at risk as smaller fish populations decline.
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