GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Ocean acidification, while not directly tied to climate change, is an issue that is becoming more problematic as the burning of fossil fuels pumps more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere builds up and dissolves into the oceans, where it reacts with water to create carbonic acid.
Upwelling zones, water coming from the ocean floor to the surface, tends to be more acidic than the water in the mid to top levels of the ocean. Coastal ecosystems have adapted to tolerate the naturally low pH levels of the water. However, the addition of dissolved carbon dioxide at the surface is leading to a higher concentration of acidic water in coastal ecosystems, especially around strong upwelling zones. Ecosystems are not prepared to tolerate the speed of change and could suffer severe consequences if measures aren’t taken to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
For more information on this study, you can find the full news release here.
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