Our planet is facing a critical problem that many people don’t know about: ocean acidification. This process, caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, makes our oceans more acidic and can have devastating consequences for marine life and the environment as a whole. Understanding the causes and effects of ocean acidification is essential if we are to protect our world’s most important natural resource.
First, let’s look at what causes ocean acidification. When CO2 enters the air, it reacts with water molecules in the atmosphere to form carbonic acid. The more CO2 there is in the atmosphere, the more this acid will enter our oceans through rain and surface runoff. As more of this acid enters our oceans, they become increasingly acidic—which has major consequences for sea life.
One major issue associated with ocean acidification is decreased calcium carbonate availability. Many species rely on this compound to create their shells and skeletons—and when it isn’t available, their growth is hindered or impossible altogether. Additionally, sensitive coral colonies may not be able to secrete enough calcium carbonate for their polyps to survive—leading to colony death and loss of habitat for countless marine species.
Ultimately, ocean acidification doesn’t just affect sea life—it affects us too! With fewer fish in our oceans due to weakened populations from decreased calcium carbonate access, commercial fishing industries suffer big losses which trickle down into higher prices for consumers. We can all do our part by reducing our own carbon footprints through energy-efficient habits like driving electric cars or using renewable energy sources at home and work.
The future of our oceans depends on us taking action now―let’s come together to protect them before it’s too late!