Science Daily reports that our oceans are becoming more acidic every year. Acidification of the oceans pose a very serious threat to marine life.

It is known that oceans absorb 2 out of the 7 Giga tons of carbon that humans emit every year, and this carbon is what is causing the acidification.

There has not been enough research into what the effects of the acidification really will be on a larger scale, but the future of two key organisms are in danger.

The extra carbon dioxide has caused the ocean's average surface pH (a measure of water's acidity) to shift by about 0.1 unit from pre-industrial levels. Depending on the rate and magnitude of future emissions, the ocean's pH could drop by as much as 0.35 units by the mid-21st century.

Experiments have shown that changes of as little as 0.2-0.3 units can hamper the ability of key marine organisms such as corals and some plankton to calcify their skeletons, which are built from pH-sensitive carbonate minerals.

 Corals play a vital role in providing shelter for the many species of fish living near coral reefs. If we lose the coral reefs, the biodiversity will suffer.

While a doubling of atmospheric CO₂ may seem a realistic target for climate goals, such a level may mean the end of coral reefs and other valuable marine resources.

The photo is Copyright (c) 2004 Richard Ling.