Science topic
Ocean Acidification - Science topic
Ocean acidification is the name given to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. About a quarter of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere goes into the oceans, where it forms carbonic acid.
Questions related to Ocean Acidification
Earth’s ‘Big Five’ Mass Extinctions
Global Warming: Is it something NEW to our planet?
Extinctions are a normal part of evolution: they occur naturally and periodically over time.
Evolution occurs through the balance of extinction – the end of species – and speciation – the creation of new ones.
In a mass extinction, at least 75% of species go extinct within a relatively (by geological standard) short period of time, typically less than two million years.
The first known mass extinction – End Ordovician (444 million years ago) – with intense glacial and interglacial periods - resulted in 86% of species lost - with significant changes in Ocean Chemistry.
Resulted in Climate Change.
The 2nd known mass extinction – Late Devonian (366 million years ago) resulted in 75% of species lost.
Resulted in severe Global Cooling.
The 3rd known mass extinction – End Permian (250 million years ago) resulted in 96% of species lost - with elevated CO2 and Sulfur levels from volcanoes caused ocean-acidification/acid-rain.
Resulted in Global Warming.
The 4th known mass extinction – End Triassic (200 million years ago) resulted in 80% of species lost - with drastic changes in the chemical composition of Oceans.
Resulted in Global Warming.
The 5th known mass extinction – End Cretaceous (65 million years ago) resulted in 76% of species lost - with an asteroid impact in Yucatan, Mexico.
Resulted in rapid Global Cooling.
Are we already going through 'Sixth Mass Extinction'?
If so, 'Anthropocene' to be blamed?
Climate change leading to a 'Super-Dynamic' Coastal System?
1. Regarding the accelerated sea-level rise predictions associated with the melting of glaciers and ice sheets and from thermal expansion of water, where do we stand now, with reference to the levels of 2000, 2010 & 2020?
Where do we stand now, from '2 mm per annum' during 20th century?
2. If mean sea levels have already risen to the anticipated levels, then, at how many places across the globe, the coastal shorelines have got retreated?
And, how many low-lying areas have been inundated across the globe?
3. Have we captured any significant change in the run-off to the coast, resulting from (a) extreme rainfall events; and (b) enhancement in mean global temperature?
4. Whether the sustainability of existing coastal communities and natural resources have become a challenging task – associated with the climate change?
5. How easy would it remain for coastal economies in order to adapt to the changing climate?
How complex would remain to be the role of coastal land-forms and estuaries?
6. Do we have a control over the impacts and the timing of the impacts of the extreme events associated with coastal regions – resulting from climate change?
7. What exactly have we learnt from an enhanced erosion of beaches; and frequent flooding from rivers and tidal surge?
8. To what extent, coral reefs and shellfish have been affected by ocean acidification resulting from an enhanced uptake of atmospheric CO2 by the oceans?
9. How exactly waves, winds and currents have been altered resulting from sea-level rise and increase in sea surface temperature?
Have we observed any fundamental changes in physical forces associated with ocean circulation and sediment budgets?
10. Whether climate change has resulted in a significant variation in ocean circulation pattern?
Feasible to capture the effects of sea level rise given the wide range of variations in both spatial as well as temporal scales?
The answers to your questions are in my monograph "Modern changes in the level of the Black Sea as the basis for the strategy of construction development of the coasts". Look at several of the drawings analyzed in my book.
The first figure is the rise and fall of the coast relative to the shape of the geoid. It's about geodynamics. These are answers to requests about land flooding.
The following figure shows the dependence of sea level changes on increasing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. On this issue, see my discussion "Increasing carbon dioxide contribute to lowering sea levels? Is it possible?".
The other two figures provide information about the stabilization of sea level changes.
Decreased carbonate ions with increased bicarbonate ions reduce pH. But while measuring water quality, we estimate carbonate and bicarbonate ions as one of the parameters and a higher concentration of these ions indicates alkalinity. But how ocean acidification happens when bicarbonate concentration increases.
I want to know which is the best part to look at to compare if coral calcification is affected by in situ low pH environment. I've been reading papers but I can't pinpoint which part they are looking at under SEM. My fragments are from the genus Porites, Goniopora, and Platygyra.
#corals #calcification #microstructures #skeleton
Since 1850 59% of atmospheric CO2 emissions have been taken up by terrestrial and marine sinks according to AR6 (see attached image). This amounts to 1430 Gt of CO2. Unlike the terrestrial sink, which is largely permanent (soil organic matter and living biomass), some of the marine sink is transitory. For example, a portion of dissolved CO2 (and the carbonate and bicarbonate is equilibrates with) will offgas when atmospheric partial pressure of CO2 drops, after accounting for the time lags in oceanic circulation.
Do any of you have references to studies that estimate what portion of the marine sink is permanent? This is important when calculating how much excess CO2 (atmospheric plus transitory marine) we need to draw down to solve climate change and ocean acidification. Thank you!
Are there studies showing that shells from living or dead oysters prevent ocean acidification and ultimately promote the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
It would be better if there were quantitative calculations as well.
i have to give an university exam on february 11 and i can't find enough information about it. i have to present the whole exam on the phenomenon of bioluminescence: how has the phenomenon changed over the years and i need the relationship between it and ocean acidification. if any of you have anything useful i would be grateful. thank you very much.
The current rate of acidification could be unprecedented in Earth's history: it is estimated to be 10 to 100 times faster than the acidification events of the last 50 million years. How do you see the biological impacts of ocean acidification in this changing climate? 55 million years ago, the thermal optimum of the Paleocene-Eocene led to the extinction of several species, particularly shellfish invertebrates.
Schiermeler (2010) projections show a range of environmental impacts related to ocean acidification. Given the importance of temperature and pH conditions in the maintenance of life, should we expect, in the absence of remedial actions, to major changes in the marine food chain or to the extinction of marine invertebrates and vertebrates.
I invite you to share your opinions.
For a class I am looking at the effects of ocean acidification, and within this although I am finding that there are species that are both negatively (coral, oysters, etc.) affected and positively affected (blue crabs, shrimp) by ocean acidification; I want to know if there are a species that do not seem to be affected by acidification and can convert carbonic acid into bicarbonate, therefore limiting the effects and maintaining a controlled pH level.
If not, is there anything that could be created to do so, and is there any research on that?
A lot of studies on climate change / ocean acidification focus on testing biological responses of organisms to future projected ocean pH etc, often through artificially-controlled mesocosms (eg naturalistic aquaria) and this means that we overlook the capacity of organisms to adapt to that change over time.
Is there any research institute that is developing a controllable aquatic mesocosm where CO2 and other factors can be maniuplated so that studies of pre-industrial CO2 levels etc could be conducted?
Dear researchers,
I would much appreciate if you could explain or suggest good research papers regarding the effects of ocean acidification on the chemical composition of the valves of mainly Mytilidae and Pectinidae species and damage, growth, development or biomarker assessment.
Thanks in advance
As the aragonite becomes undersaturated in deep water, will exposed coral skeleton completely dissolve, or is it only a part of the structure (the aragonitic elements) that will dissolve? I am trying to work out how ocean acidification may affect structural complexity on deep water coral reefs, and coral rubble habitats
Blue forests (seagrasses, mangroves and salt marshes) are included in the so called "Blue carbon" ecosystems due to the capacity of those plants to sink Carbon in marine sediments, from dissolved CO2. Nevertheless, many species of corals, algae, mollusks, etc., incorporate Carbon as carbonate from aquatic media and remains for long time forming rocks or marine sediments. Could coral reefs be considered also as Blue forests?
I want to collaborate with an American partner working on ocean acidification and he should be aware of the monitoring techniques of carbon dioxide and other climatic change parameters.
When writing about climate change, when should we still cite a source and when is it assumed knowledge?
Example:
Coastal areas are affected by sea level rise (CITE????)
Oceans are affected by ocean acidification (CITE???)
Temperature in the ocean is increasing (CITE???)
Serious question. I read about ocean acidification all the time and I believe pH is currently 8.1. At what point does ocean water become "acidic" I would imagine the same as regular water at a pH below 7. Is saying ocean "acidification" a misnomer?
Is there a way to reduce pH of seawater to assess the dissolution of exoskeletons of marine invertebrates of dead organisms(e.g. shell of mussels). In other words can I for instance use HCl to reduce pH to observe structural difference simulating the pH of ocean acidification models?
Our research is about the effects of ocean acidification on coral health in Puerto Princesa Bay, Palawan and examining appropriate coral restoration methods.
Dear everyone,
This is not, properly, a question, but an invitation to contribute to an open-access article collection on “Physiological Responses in Aquatic Organisms Adapted to Extreme or Changing Environments" to be published by the journal Frontiers in Physiology.
The aim of this topic is to provide up-to-date information on the physiological responses in aquatic organisms, vertebrates and invertebrates, adapted to extreme or changing environments as well as their interactions with endocrine, biochemical and molecular mechanisms. Studies with an approach related to conservation biology are also invited to contribute.
More information can be found in the journal website: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/8983/physiological-responses-in-aquatic-organisms-adapted-to-extreme-or-changing-environments
Best Regards,
Alexssandro Geferson Becker
Ignacio Ruiz-Jarabo
Eduardo Luís Cupertino Ballester
Editors
Ocean acidification is the lowering of ocean pH due to increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere (from fossil fuel burning, deforestation etc.). The absorption of CO2 has already acidified the surface layers of the ocean causing an overall decrease of 0.1 pH units since the pre-industrial period, which is equivalent to a 30% increase in acidity and a 16% decrease in carbonate ion concentrations. The surface ocean pH is projected to decrease by 0.3-0.4 pH units by 2100 (predicted to decline from approximately 8.2 in pre-industrial times to 7.8 by the end of this century). The changes in basic ocean chemistry due to ocean acidification are likely to have impacts on organisms that require calcium carbonate to build their shells or skeletons such as corals, and molluscs (oysters, mussels, pteropods, and abalone). There are three naturally occurring forms of calcium carbonate used by marine organisms to build shells, plates or skeletons: calcite (e.g. marine plankton coccolithophores), aragonite (e.g. corals, pteropods) and high magnesium calcite (e.g. starfish, sea urchins, brittle stars). The solubility & sensitivity to ocean acidification is higher with magnesium calcite and the least with calcite in the following order: magnesium calcite>aragonite> calcite.
Increasing ocean acidification can significantly reduce the ability of reef-building corals to produce their skeletons via reduced calcification. Successful fertilisation, larval settlement, recruitment, growth and survivorship of corals can be affected due to ocean acidification. A recent research shows that corals, echinoderms and molluscs are very sensitive to a decline in the pH value compared to crustaceans (Wittmann and Pörtner 2013). Many marine fish (about 25% of known marine fish) use coral reef as a habitat, shelter (refuge) and food. Coral reefs provide food and livelihood security for some 500 million people worldwide including 90% protein need of inhabitants of Pacific Island Developing Nations. Coral reefs are the primary economic driver in many tourist destinations and protect fragile coastlines from threats such as tsunamis and erosions.
Some experimental results showed that calcification is generally reduced in mussels under near-future CO2 levels. Projected future CO2 level (rise of ocean acidification) can impact on shell formation, larval development, and survival rate in abalone. A study on the early development of the oyster (Crassostrea gigas) found that shell calcification is reduced in juveniles and their body shape and size are also altered. Many mollusc species at the adult and juvenile stages have shown reduced growth and/or health under projected ocean acidification scenarios. Molluscs are food for commercial fish such as haddock, halibut, herring, flounder and cod. Clams, scallops, mussels, oysters, abalone and conchs provide direct protein sources for various island and coastal communities and are valuable commercial fisheries. Molluscs account for 8% of the global marine catch.
Though the effects of increased acidity on adult finfish seems to be minimal or supposed to be largely unaffected (since fish are able to control their acid-base balance by bicarbonate buffering, mainly across the gills and via the kidney), however, some recent experiments with tropical coral reef fish suggest that the sensory systems of fish can be affected by ocean acidification. For example, when clownfish (Amphiprion percula) were exposed to higher CO2 levels, they could not distinguish predator from non-predator and were found swimming toward predators, instead of away from them (Dixson et al. 2010). The loss of the senses of sight/smell/touch due to ocean acidification would thus reduce survival in commercially important fish species. Another experiment (Frommell et al. 2012) showed detrimental effects of ocean acidification on the developmental stages of Atlantic cod larvae (Gadus morhua). Exposure to elevated CO2 levels resulted in severe to lethal tissue damage in many internal organs in larval cod, with the degree of damage increasing with CO2 concentrations. As larval survival is the bottleneck to recruitment, ocean acidification has the potential to act as an additional source of natural mortality, which may affect populations of already exploited fish stocks. A small change in early life survival can generate large fluctuations in adult-fish abundance in the wild.
Antarctic krill (Euphausia spp.) is a key pelagic species in the southern region and represents the largest fishery resource. Many animals like whales, seals, penguins and fish are dependent on krill fishery. Marine ecosystems in particular krill populations could be vulnerable to ocean acidification. For example, when krill eggs were exposed to elevated seawater CO2 levels, hatch rates were found significantly lower, it also delayed embryonic development (Kawaguchi et al. 2013). The pteropod, or “sea butterfly” (with aragonite shells) are an important food source (for fish such as juvenile salmon, birds, tiny krill, and giant whales). They (pteropods) are also a good indicator of ecosystem health and play an important role in the oceanic carbon cycle. The shells of pteropods, Limacina helicina antarctica – living in the seas around Antarctica are being severely dissolved by ocean acidification according to a new study (Bednaršek et al. 2012). The main consequence of loss of shell due to ocean acidification will be increasing vulnerability of pteropods to predation and infection, which will in turn impact other parts of the food web.
Ocean acidification may cause an increase in jellyfish (Attrill et al. 2008). Jellyfish are key predators and can affect the abundance of zooplankton, fish larvae and eggs, which affects survival to the adult stage (or recruitment) of fish populations. As jellyfish are rarely the preferred food for other marine animals, any significant increase in their numbers could have major consequences for pelagic ecosystems and fisheries.
Nevertheless, rising CO2 may enhance productivity of non calcifying seagrasses, seaweeds as they require CO2 for photosynthesis and living, for example, photosynthetic organisms such as seagrasses showed higher growth rates, as much as five-fold or higher with acidification (Hendriks et al.2010 )
Question: Will ocean acidification be a threat to seafood security, commercial fishing and livelihoods? If so, how?
What are the effects of ocean acidification on the enzyme carbonic anhydrase with a focus on the role of the enzyme both in the calcification. I found several works in which the external, internal enzyme is down-regulated in the presence of high concentrations of CO2. In Corallina officinalis the external carbonic anhydrase increases its activity as it produces carbonate ions from bicarbonate ions. There are some papers that support me that in the presence of high concentrations of CO2, instead of hydration, the conversion of HCO3- into CO32- is favored? Could you please give me a suggestion?
Thank you so much.
Does anyone know of a site where I can find the pH of ocean waters in various oceans and at various depths?
It is true that CO2 is soluble in water. As soon it come in contact with water molecules, it produce carbonic acid.
CO2 + H2O = H2CO3
Carbonic acid work on slightly or non soluble calcium and magnesium salt and make it soluble.
CaCO3 + HCO3 = Ca(HCO3)3
This is how alkalinity/pH is increased.
But how it increase ocean acidity. Or, this ocean acidity is a temporary phenomena?
To me, increase and decrease in oven pH is part of ocean ecology. Why it is presented is a problem?
Polychaete are one of the most abundant group in marine environment, it contain both sensitive and tolerant species. The increase of Ocean Acidification how to affect the Polychaete?
The ocean is the most resistant ecosystem but due to human activities, ocean acidification is starting to occur, which has resulted to drastic changes in marine communities. Are there any current, feasible solutions to this problem?
In what capacity will marine biological systems and species adjust and react to the individual and intelligent impacts of warming, anoxia, and ocean acidification, and to what degree is mitigation conceivable?
Dinosaurs and several other prehistoric animals grew to be gigantic in their time. Ultimately, most animals in the past are significantly larger than the animals now. One largely recognized theory is that the level of oxygen is a major factor for this contrast in sizes. Taking this theory into consideration, is it possible for animals (and plants) to gradually evolve into larger sizes when the oxygen level is increased? Take for example a theoretical experiment inside a large dome or a controlled environment where oxygen levels are maintained at a high level. Does the abundance of oxygen entail a gradual growth in the size of the organisms (over generations) assuming that this abundance does not affect them fatally?
The area might possible experience a number of typhoons over the year, stable is understood as most resistant to those factors mainly minimizing the loss of coral transplants.
Least invasive for further definition is the impact the method would have in terms of length of implementation and use of tools that would bore into the ocean floor for example.
Examples of the methods can be found in the provided links.
I would like to obtain information to model development times at different temperatures of larvae of blue mussels belonging to the Mytilus edulis complex, especially those found in the northwest Atlantic: M. edulis sensu stricto, M. trossulus, and/or their hybrids.
I have found a number of old studies reporting growth (size increase, not development) and survival at different temperatures, and newer studies quantifying growth and development at a few temperatures plus further manipulations (e.g., different pH in ocean acidification studies), but haven't had much luck finding basic temperature-dependent development studies. I.E., a study rearing mussel larvae at multiple controlled temperatures and reporting times or rates of development (total and/or through specific stages). But, surely such information must be out there. Can someone please direct me to some useful sources?
Does salinity fluctuation have a major effect on survival and growth of Vibrio alginolyticus and V. proteolyticus?
I need studies conducted in the southern hemisphere for my dissertation - preferably in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean.
I am interested in marine fish (muscle vs whole body) relationships.
No instruments that are currently used and the amount of data that exists along the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic.
Warm Greetings, Fellow Researchers!
I am currently doing research on ocean acidification and its effects on corals in the Philippines. I would like to determine coral colonies resilient to ocean acidification for the purpose of developing appropriate and efficient restoration techniques. I am currently looking into molecular markers that may serve as basis for stress response and in turn resilience, of the coral colonies. I am currently thinking of microsatellite genotyping. Would this be the best approach? Thank you!
Our research is about the effects of ocean acidification on coral health in Puerto Princesa Bay, Palawan and examining appropriate coral restoration methods.
1) Is there any risk that salinity measurements,as translated from conductivity, would carry error in experiments modifying the ionic environment of seawater through ocean acidification (or other)?
2) Is the natural ratio between different salts present in natural seawater modified by ocean acidification?
I'm trying to evaluate CO2 content of seawater in the surface and at depth of the Damariscotta River (ME). So far I've looked at Turner's C-sense ($9K) and Sunburst's SAMI-CO2 ($18K)and I'm looking for a 3rd sensor for comparison as well as advice. Thanks!
what are the major possible impacts of ocean acidification on pteropod ecology and distribution?
More specifically tropical Asteroid species (L. laevigata, A. typicus and P. nodosus).
How does ocean acidification relate to fisheries and sustainability of aquatic resources?
Ocean acidification due to CO2 increase affect bio calcification. We can suppose that the same effect can be found in fresh water. However I did not found any research about the effect of CO2 on pound and lac. This is probably because it is negligible in such a limited amount of water. Do you have any knowledges about the atmospheric/pound physiochemical exchanges and the effect of CO2 increase?
This may help to compare ocean acidification studies.
Just need to know how ocean acidity will affect shell strength over the course of 60 days.
Greetings! I am currently working on a study involving Crassostreia iredalei and Scylla serrata, two species of shellfish located in the Philippines. I was looking into the possible effects of the lowering of oceanic pH and whether it can have implications on the economical trade (oysters and crabs being a delicacy). While there is already some literature referring to this topic, I wondered other fellow researchers.
Is it possible that the ocean acidification may not appear so simple with the continuous drop in pH after doing a continuous measurement? How do you deal with the simplification of this issue?
I am searching for an organism that is also easy to breed in the aquarium and reproduces relatively quickly (say up to 2 or 3 months is ok). I am open to both salt- and freshwater organisms!
Maybe you have already seen this paper of Morabito et al. 2013, they found that ocean acidification affected the osmotic swelling etc of nematocysts. That would hamper their capacity for food capture. This is a really interesting, and devastating, effect that has received very little attention.
Morabito et al. 2013. Sea Water Acidification Affects Osmotic Swelling, Regulatory Volume Decrease and Discharge in Nematocytes of the Jellyfish. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 32(suppl 1): 77-85.
Oceans are becoming more acidic. How will it affect the marine life?
Acidification of the Hooghly estuarine system...
Acidification of ocean water of the Hooghly estuarine system
I read some interesting articles about ocean acidification and chemical reaction in the Ocean. Ocean acidification occurs when pH-levels of the ocean decrease due to rapid increase of CO2 production in the atmosphere by human activity. However, how can the ocean be acidic whereas it has an extremely effective buffering effect (carbon dioxide-carbonate-bicarbonate equilibrium). And also, what are the roles of cyanobacteria and algae to convert CO2 for photosynthesis? I hope I can get some actual explanation to help make me understand the process. Thank you.
Acidification has been referred to be already affecting corals by inducing coral bleaching and diminishing calcification rate. At least there are evidences that bleaching is frequently currently killing corals by starving or by predisposing them to disease. What about the expected time scale for killing them through other ways, e.g. physiological stress induced by low pH?
Hello All. I am working on Ocean Acidification and fish physiology , could any one please help me in by calculating the relevant pH value for 10 ppt and 2.5 ppt salt water with pCO2 values of 380, 1000 and 1900 respectively or by suggesting any relevant formulae or tool for it . Thank you in advance .
There is growing interest in understanding the economics of climate change. There are few studies which are looking at the economics of ocean acidification. I would like to know what approaches are currently being undertaken.
Nowadays I´m studying a Master of Coastal oceanography at Baja California University (UABC), and my research focuses on the effect of ocean acidification to the interaction between sea urchins and fishes and algal communites in tropical coral reef ecosystems and the synergic effects of anthropogenic impacts. I´m wondering if anyone knows about some information about the effects on behaviour with field observations?
Best regards.
This is something I have been wondering for a while, but haven't had the time to figure out myself, so I pose this question here on ResearchGate.
Nowadays you hear a lot about the acidification of the oceans and the damage that it causes in reef systems. It has also been found that marine organisms with a calcareous exoskeleton have ever thinner shells, skeletons and etc. Now I wonder how can these organisms have survived in a greenhouse world where CO2 reached levels of 1000 to 2000 ppm. Is it solely the effect of decreasing solubility of CO2 in sea water with rising temperatures, or are there also other factors playing a role?
I am posing this question purely out of interest and curiosity, not for my research project.
Greetings,
Wim
We're looking for a less toxic method to preserve seawater samples for later analysis for carbonate chemistry (DIC, pH, alkalinity). We currently use mercuric chloride. Is zinc chloride a useful alternative?
As dolomite in algae bind reefs together, they make it stronger and less vulnerable to acidification in the ocean, forming "super corals".
The best estimates are that pH will decrease by 0.2 or 0.3 pH units in less than 100 years. Previous pH changes of this magnitude have probably occurred over thousands or even tens of thousands of years. However, when change occurs over short time scales (and 100 years is a short time scale in terms of the history of the Earth), there are increased risks of species extinctions.
Which satellite is the best one for detecting and monitoring the oil spit? Also which one is the most appropriate one for detecting the oil pollution in a marine ecosystem? And which method should be applied?
There seem to be two different definitions of phosphate alkalinity (PA) in seawater. Which one is correct? And why?
1. According to CDIAC (http://cdiac.ornl.gov/oceans/ndp_065/3d.html):
PA = [H2PO4-] + 2[HPO4=] + 3[PO4-3]
2. According to Dickson and Sabine's Guide to best practices for ocean
CO2 measurements:
PA = [HPO4=] + 2[PO4-3] - [H3PO4]
What is the status of blue carbon research? What is the potential for CO2 sequestration via blue carbon?
What difference does it make to have too much excess acid?
Climate Change and subsequent rise of DIC
Most of the OA studies have looked at CO2 Sequestration as possible cause. How big is the NOx and SOx contribution in OA?
I am interested in getting various methods of CO2 measurement in seawater.
The rate of acidification is higher in the Persian Gulf. I will appreciate getting guidance on best methods to determine argonite unsaturation.
In Arabian gulf the increased salinity due to desalination appears to counter balance the pH drop.
Here are some measurements that we did, the data looks intresting, your comments are welcomed.
Is there a relationship between increased oceanic sequestration of CO2 and increased phytoplankton concentration, which will eventually increase the organic detritus?
In most instances CO2 is considered responsible for OA. However in oil producing countries the level of NOx and SOX emission is reasonably high and ultimately gets into the ocean. Cant this be a cause of accelerated OA?
Carbon di-oxide is the main cause of ocean acidification.
I'm assessing sedimentary carbonate saturation states with respect to aragonite and was wondering if it may be worthwhile to spend some money on DIC analysis rather than measuring pH for predicting aragonite saturation states? Given that DIC is quite expensive, I was wondering if there is any available literature outlining degrees of precision of the two predictors on which to base a decision?
The ocean is like a carbon dioxide basin because this is where CO2 present in the atmosphere is absorbed. This is causing this body of water to become acidic greatly threatening marine life, which may eventually kill them.
The study of increased dissolved CO2 on calcification of organisms suggests that decapods, including crabs and lobsters studied, would not be adversely affected by increases on dissolved CO2 compared to more sensitive corals (for instance) (Ries, 2009, Geological Soc. America 37(12): 1131-1134). Are there other effects of the increased CO2 that may be deleterious to the decapods?
If so, why is it not as well known among administrations and citizens? Both threats have the same origin, emission of CO2 into the atmosphere by humans and both will have a major impact on biodiversity. However, acidification of the oceans is much less known. Why? Is acidification of the oceans considered to be less severe for biodiversity?
I read an article about it and would like to work with this.
