For years we have been hearing about the negative effects of climate change. One aspect you may not be aware of is the impact of climate change on the health of oceans. Ocean acidification is a global environmental issue
caused by the man-made release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ocean acidification is often called the "evil
twin" to climate change, because both issues are rooted in carbon dioxide
emissions.
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 about a quarter 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.
While the oceans are becoming
more acidic, they are still on the basic side of the pH scale (basic - neutral
- acidic). It is highly unlikely that the oceans will ever become actual
acid. However, even small changes in the acidity of the oceans can result in
severe ramifications. As they become more acidic, corals and other organisms
will find it increasingly difficult to build new skeletons and shells and those
that already exist may begin to dissolve.
The
acidification of the world’s oceans from an excess of CO2 has already begun, as
evidenced recently by the widespread mortality of oyster larvae in the Pacific
Northwest. Scientists say this is just a harbinger of things to come if
greenhouse gas emissions continue to soar. elizabeth
grossman
Yale Environment 360 article titled Massive Oyster Die-offs Show Ocean Acidification Has
Arrived
A
new study says the seas are acidifying ten times faster today than 55 million
years ago when a mass extinction of marine species occurred. And, the study
concludes, current changes in ocean chemistry due to the burning of fossil
fuels may portend a new wave of die-offs. carl
zimmer
Thanks for reminding me about the connection between air and ocean. Scary stuff. It makes me that much more committed to getting away from fossil fuel.
ReplyDeleteA very thorough post Ben. No wonder you have 16 followers! lol I remember watching something on the nature channel that related this topic to the destruction of coral reefs. I wonder what the impact has been for sea life from all of the floating trash that is in our oceans?
ReplyDeleteBen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for expanding my understanding of a topic that i only started learning about last year in Foundations class. i hope that through advocates like you, we're able to realize and restore the delicate balances of all of Gaia's systems and the interconnectedness of all things before it's too late! i also appreciate that you had multiple links and media in your blog.
Good work, my friend!
patrick
Awesome post, Ben. It makes me wonder why we hear so much controversy about climate change, and very little about its evil twin? Is it because there is no controversy? In other words, are there any groups out there that contest whether or not the ocean is becoming more acidic or what the causes are? As someone who appreciates both sides of the conversation, I can't help but wonder if this issue even has another side, since it seems quite easy to test and measure, at least compared to climate change. I suppose the effects are debatable, but at the very least this seems like a solid way to counter a skeptic re: the role humans play in the condition of our planet.
ReplyDelete