Ocean Acidification

Acidification is a critical outcome of increased dissolution of CO2 in seawater.  Decreasing ocean pH results in decreasing calcification, respiratory difficulties, and reproductive changes in marine species worldwide. The most evident result can be found in the dramatic changes evident in coral reefs, as rich a biotic community as the rain forest, as well as in microscopic organisms at the bottom of the marine food chain that sustain fisheries and food security. Both these ecosystems are now experiencing the serious negative consequences of increased acidification of climate and ocean.

Present Situation

What happens to the oceans pH as anthropogenic CO2 emissions rise? Can species adapt in the future and what are the likely consequences?  EurOcean scientists explore these questions and more.
National Public Radio
NPR's Richard Harris discusses threats to the survival of many sea creatures from rising ocean acidity with researchers Eric Payne and Peter Brewer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
A National Resources Defense Council Film
This NRDC documentary explores the phenomenon of ocean acidification, which may soon challenge marine life on a scale not seen for tens of millions of years. The film, featuring Sigourney...
A blog-format information outlet on ocean acidification sponsored by EPOCA, the European Project on Ocean Acidification.

Solutions

" Kurt House's idea to bolster the oceans' ability to sequester carbon dioxide sounds straightforward enough. Because higher atmospheric levels of the greenhouse gas have blunted the oceans'...

Dec 14, '09 08:34 EST meiner
12-14-2009: I am a coastal expert from the EEA. I am here at Oceans Day in Copenhagen and the ocean acidification panel has just ended. Panellists...
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Dec 12, '09 21:20 EST James
as oceans become more acidic, it is said that CaCO3 deposition in corals will become more difficult. However, there is also an increase in...
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