Oceans Becoming More Acidic, Threatening Underwater Ecosystems

Max Lindberg — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:20:43 +0000

A pronounced lack of growth rate among some corals in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef leads scientists to believe this is the first sign of ocean acidification, something scientists world wide are beginning to fear.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in seawater, that increases acidity, making it more difficult for marine organisms to grow and maintain their shells.

Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences have studied porites, a common coral species growing along the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and discovered that calcification had slowed by 21% over the past 16 years. Calcification is the process used by corals to extract calcium carbonate from seawater to build their shells.

Green Options » underwater ecosystems

Oceans Becoming More Acidic, Threatening Underwater Ecosystems