Causes And Effects Of Marine Acidification

Marine life helps to regulate earths climate in a major way. However, marine acidification or ocean acidification is a cause of concern as it affects marine life adversely.

The ocean acidification is the process of dissolving of excess carbon dioxide in the ocean. The human activities release excess carbon dioxide in atmosphere. This excess Co2 is absorbed by oceans.

Ocean acidification is the result of decrease in the pH levels of ocean waters. An acid is formed when carbon dioxide combines with the water of ocean. This leads to the acidification of the ocean and thus acidification of the marine. The acidification of ocean leads to the indirect acidification of marine.

The acidification of ocean results in chemical processes which are corrosive for the marine. This can cause extinction of marine organisms. The marine acidification is a threat to the organisms that live in cold water.

The threat to marine and marine organisms is more to the organisms who construct external skeletons. These organisms provide essential foundation and repairing material to the reefs. They also release substances, which are helpful in the settlements of other organisms.

These organisms form the calcium carbonate material for skeleton and shells. Calcium carbonate is the main builder of limestone. These organisms, also known as pteropods, provide the basic food and habitats to other organisms of the marine. Their extinction may greatly affect the ecosystems of oceans, leading to increase of marine acidification.

It is projected that if the atmospheric carbon dioxide increases at its present pace, the whole southern and a part of North Pacific oceans will become corrosive for the marine to grow the shells.

The cold polar surface waters become corrosive to marine when the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reaches the level of about 600 parts per million. It is estimated that it is 60% more than the present level.

Another threat through marine acidification is to the coral reefs. The acidification strips the carbonate ions from the water of the sea. Thus, it is difficult for the coral reefs to build the calcium carbonate skeleton.

Also, it is warned by the researchers that reduction in the level of pH causes profound changes to most marine and also to coral reef health. Coral reef is the main sustenance source of marine life.

Thus, in a nutshell, we can say that marine acidification needs to be checked immediately. This acidification can lead to on imbalance in the whole ecosystem.