How does ocean acidification impact marine life?

Ocean acidification is the process by which the pH of seawater decreases due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This increase in acidity has significant impacts on marine life.

Firstly, ocean acidification affects the ability of marine organisms to build and maintain their shells or skeletons made of calcium carbonate. The increased acidity makes it more difficult for these organisms, such as corals, mollusks, and some plankton species, to extract the necessary carbonate ions from the water. As a result, their shells become weaker and more susceptible to damage, leading to reduced growth rates and increased mortality.

Secondly, ocean acidification can disrupt the reproductive and developmental processes of many marine species. For example, it can impair the ability of some fish and invertebrates to detect predators or find suitable mates, ultimately affecting their population dynamics. Additionally, acidification can negatively impact the early life stages of various organisms, including fish, shellfish, and some plankton, leading to reduced survival rates and potential population declines.

Furthermore, ocean acidification can alter the composition and functioning of marine ecosystems. As certain species are more sensitive to acidification than others, their decline can disrupt the balance of predator-prey relationships and overall biodiversity. This can have cascading effects throughout the food web, impacting the abundance and distribution of other marine organisms, including commercially important fish species.

In conclusion, ocean acidification poses a significant threat to marine life. Its impacts on the ability of organisms to build shells, reproduce, and survive can have far-reaching consequences for the health and functioning of marine ecosystems. Addressing this issue requires global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change on our oceans.