Ocean ACIDITY Rising!

Ocean Acidity = Carbon Dioxide is Putting Shelled Animals at Risk

JOIN THE ALLIANCE TO SAVE ANTARCTICA

ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SWELL

Antarctica's great Southern Ocean is the last pristine ocean wilderness left on Earth. This year leaders from 25 countries have an opportunity to create the world's largest marine sanctuaries around Antarctica. The proposals are in front of them, the science has been done, all they need to do is say YES. Tell our leaders to make the right decision when they meet this year and protect these waters for future generations.

Share this video and visit our website to take action: JOIN US! SIGN HERE!

The Latest News on ACID from National Geographic

When carbon dioxide dissolves in this ocean, carbonic acid is formed. This leads to higher acidity, mainly near the surface, which has been proven to inhibit shell growth in marine animals and is suspected as a cause of reproductive disorders in some fish. On the pH scale, which runs from 0 to 14, solutions with low numbers are considered acidic and those with higher numbers are basic. Seven is neutral. Over the past 300 million years, ocean pH has been slightly basic, averaging about 8.2. Today, it is around 8.1, a drop of 0.1 pH units, representing a 25-percent increase in acidity over the past two centuries. The oceans currently absorb about a third of human-created CO2 emissions, roughly 22 million tons a day. 

Projections based on these numbers show that by the end of this century, continued emissions could reduce ocean pH by another 0.5 units. Shell-forming animals including corals, oysters, shrimp, lobster, many planktonic organisms, and even some fish species could be gravely affected. Equally worrisome is the fact that as the oceans continue to absorb more CO2, their capacity as a carbon storehouse could diminish. That means more of the carbon dioxide we emit will remain in the atmosphere, further aggravating global climate change. Scientific awareness of ocean acidification is relatively recent, and researchers are just beginning to study its effects on marine ecosystems. 

But all signs indicate that unless humans are able to control and eventually eliminate our fossil fuel emissions, ocean organisms will find themselves under increasing pressure to adapt to their habitat's changing chemistry or perish.Fundamental changes in seawater chemistry are occurring throughout the world's oceans. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from humankind's industrial and agricultural activities has increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. 

The ocean absorbs almost a third of the CO2 we release into the atmosphere every year, so as atmospheric CO2 levels increase, so do the levels in the ocean. Initially, many scientists focused on the benefits of the ocean removing this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. However, decades of ocean observations now show that there is also a downside — the CO2 absorbed by the ocean is changing the chemistry of the seawater, a process called ocean acidification. This change in the ocean's chemistry will have profound effects on life in the ocean, and those who depend on it.Visit National Geographic for MORE

The ocean absorbs almost half of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, changing its chemistry in ways that may have significant effects on marine ecosystems. Join Scripps marine chemist Andrew Dickson as he explains what we know -- and what we don't -- about this emerging problem.

Global shellfish populations are under increasing pressure brought about by ocean acidification. Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey say that oysters, mussels and crabs are finding it more difficult to develop their shells, making them vulnerable to predators and an overall decline that could impact other parts of the ecosystem. Jim Drury reports.

The oceans are an important sink for atmospheric CO2, but as they take up increasing amounts of CO2 they are becoming more acidic. This has knock-on effects on some marine organisms and on the ocean's ability to sequester carbon. NIWA oceanographer Dr Cliff Law explains the impacts of ocean acidification on organisms that use carbonates to build their shells, and on bacteria. Effects on bacteria may reduce the ocean's ability to take up atmospheric CO2, creating a positive feedback loop, whereas organisms that use carbonate may find it more difficult to form and maintain their shells.

The fourth person ever to reach both poles, Will Steger is known by many titles educator, activist, photographer, and former Explorer-in-Residence for National Geographic. He presents a visual account of the global warming induced changes that hes witnessed firsthand in Arctic regions over four decades of polar exploration.

Climate warming due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is only part of the "CO2 problem" affecting life on the planet. In fact, much of the CO2 emitted from burning fossil fuels is absorbed by the ocean, causing ocean acidification, a chemical phenomenon threatening marine life. Join Scripps marine biologist Martin Tresguerres as he describes research into the potential impact of ocean acidification on corals, and the mechanisms these amazing marine animals use to try to cope with the problem.
Series: "Perspectives on Ocean Science" 

JOIN THE ALLIANCE
TO SAVE ANTARCTICA

ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SWELL

Antarctica's great Southern Ocean is the last pristine ocean wilderness left on Earth. This year leaders from 25 countries have an opportunity to create the world's largest marine sanctuaries around Antarctica. The proposals are in front of them, the science has been done, all they need to do is say YES. Tell our leaders to make the right decision when they meet this year and protect these waters for future generations.

Share this video and visit our website to take action: JOIN US! SIGN HERE!