Articles tagged with Ocean Acidification
The 2026 Planetary Health Check reveals record-breaking levels of transgression across seven Planetary Boundaries, including climate change, ocean acidification, and freshwater change. The report highlights the urgent need for collective action to return to safe operating spaces and protect lives and livelihoods.
Marine microbes play a vital role in ocean health, climate regulation, biodiversity, and the blue bioeconomy. They drive processes including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and primary productivity. AMI recommends acknowledging their importance in European ocean policy to ensure a healthy, resilient, and sustainable ocean.
A new mesocosm experiment on Gran Canaria is testing whether concrete rubble can increase ocean alkalinity, mimicking natural rock weathering to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. The study aims to standardize measurement methods for Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) and assess its ecological acceptability.
A 300-million-year-old event shows that volcanic activity and orbital forcing combined to trigger rapid warming. The study reveals the importance of sustained orbital forcing in triggering positive climate-carbon cycle feedbacks, leading to massive carbon release and abrupt large-scale warming.
Scientists used chemical clues in microscopic fossils to find evidence that ocean acidification caused one of the largest extinction events in planktic foraminifera history. The study suggests that volcanic eruptions and rising CO2 levels led to a decrease in shell-building ability, ultimately contributing to the extinction.
Research on ocean acidification's impact on cephalopod brains reveals a 49% reduction in brain volume compared to controls. The greatest reductions were found in visual information-interpretation regions, correlating with significant feeding behavior changes.
A study found that ocean acidification makes reef habitats less complex, causing fish to gather in smaller shoals with reduced social protection. Fish in bigger groups tend to be bolder and more active.
Marine Animal Forests are complex habitats that provide essential ecological services, including biodiversity hotspots, nursery areas, and carbon cycling. Scientists urge immediate action to protect these ecosystems from destructive fishing practices, pollution, and climate change.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification is accelerating at a rate outpacing atmospheric CO2 levels, with the Northeastern Pacific Ocean experiencing rapid acidification. The research analyzed coral skeletons from the past century, showing that CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere.
Climate models oversimplify the role of calcifying plankton in capturing and cycling carbon, potentially underestimating the ocean's capacity to respond to climate change. Ignoring these organisms' diversity risks oversimplifying how the ocean responds to climate stressors.
A new three-year agreement between the Pacific Marine Science Alliance Society and MEOPAR aims to strengthen national ocean research collaboration across Canada's coasts. The partnership will focus on addressing key challenges such as climate resilience, marine hazard prediction, and sustainable resource use.
Research found that shark teeth become more brittle in acidic water, leading to increased breakage and potential loss of bite. The study suggests that sharks may struggle to adapt to changing ocean pH levels, which could have cascading effects on ecosystems.
Researchers found that sharks' teeth become structurally weaker and more prone to break in acidic oceans. The study suggests that even small damage can have significant effects on these apex predators.
A new study reveals that North Pacific waters are acidifying more rapidly below the surface than previously thought. Researchers analyzed a 35-year record of ocean carbon measurements and found increases in carbon from natural decomposition, with accelerated acidification associated with fresher and colder waters.
Research reveals that reef-building corals use unique survival strategies, such as prioritizing protection of vital centers and 'cavity-like' erosion, to cope with ocean acidification. In contrast, other species exhibit characteristics similar to human osteoporosis, leading to skeletal degradation and reduced quality.
A new study projects significant ocean acidification around Hawaiian Islands within the next three decades, posing challenges to coral reefs and other marine organisms. Researchers found varying levels of acidity across different island regions, with windward coastlines exhibiting higher novelty in future conditions.
Scientists reconstructed ocean pH levels 201 million years ago and found a massive drop in acidity, leading to mass extinction. The research links this event to volcanic activity and a significant increase in atmospheric CO2.
A new study revisits forecasts made in 2002 about the world's rocky shorelines, finding some threats have materialized while others have not. The researchers highlight the importance of addressing issues like ocean acidification and plastic pollution to protect coastlines.
A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.
The deep sea accounts for 90% of ocean volume and hosts diverse ecosystems. However, human activities like mining and climate change threaten these areas. Scientists emphasize the need for major investment in deep-sea research to address knowledge gaps and inform sustainable management strategies.
Antarctic krill exhibit sudden changes in behavior when exposed to the water-borne smell of penguin poo, showing increased speed, turns, and reduced foraging efficiency. This 'zigzagging' is an avoidance reaction that may increase their odds of survival in a swarm.
A study using a unique moored platform in the Sargasso Sea found that hurricanes can transport sediments from shallow-water reefs to the deep ocean, affecting the environment for weeks. The study demonstrated how much of an impact hurricanes can have on the deep environment, with significant effects lasting for near decades.
New study highlights significant gaps in understanding how sunscreens affect marine ecosystems, with chemicals entering the environment through various pathways. Researchers emphasize the need for comprehensive studies to understand the effects of UV filters on marine life and potential risks to human health.
A novel underwater light system, UZELA, enhances local zooplankton density and increases feeding rates of coral, making them stronger and more resilient against environmental threats. The device can be powered for half a year on a single battery and can optimize a coral's feeding time by operating for one hour after dusk.
A study found that ocean acidification can shift the sex ratio of oysters towards females, a mechanism known as environmental sex determination. This phenomenon was observed across multiple generations in both hatcheries and natural habitats, highlighting the potential impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.
A research team at Peking University reconstructed ocean acidification during the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a major carbon release event 56 million years ago. The study's findings stress the urgency of addressing human-driven CO2 emissions to protect marine ecosystems, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Arctic.
Researchers found that zooplankton communities remained stable and tolerated moderate chemical changes associated with Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. However, nutritional quality of particulate matter may deteriorate, potentially affecting marine food web structure and productivity.
Researchers at UAF developed a way to equip Seagliders with sensors that monitor carbon dioxide and methane levels in the ocean. This technology provides high spatial and temporal resolution data for weeks at a time, giving scientists a clear picture of ocean chemistry.
Many planktonic foraminifera species may face unprecedented environmental conditions by the end of this century, leading to further extinctions and impacting marine ecosystems. Despite shifts in migration patterns and depth, foraminifera populations have declined by 25% over the past 80 years.
Researchers found that coral reef communities persisted under certain conditions, contradicting most projections of their demise. The study's results suggest that effective climate change mitigation measures can help coral reefs adapt and thrive.
Climate change is releasing more contaminants into the ocean, affecting marine ecosystems. Human activities and natural sources are mobilizing and increasing contaminant flows due to rising sea levels and melting glaciers.
A new study suggests that altering coral feeding habits could aid their recovery from bleaching events caused by rising ocean temperatures and acidification. Feeding corals zooplankton after a bleaching event improved their resilience to warming temperatures, promoting growth and enhancing recovery rates.
A new study of 21,000 marine animals reveals that even pristine habitats are at risk due to human activities and climate change. The research highlights the impact of cumulative human stressors on global marine fauna, emphasizing the need for targeted conservation efforts.
A recent study by researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that female American lobsters groom their offspring without significant impact from temperature and acidity levels forecasted for Maine's coastal waters. This behavior is crucial in other crustaceans, but its importance for the lobster species remains uncle...
A recent study from the University of Delaware has analyzed a high-quality carbonate dataset to investigate anthropogenic carbon dioxide in coastal waters. The researchers found that surface water shows high levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, while middle and deep layers have lower concentrations.
Research shows that ocean warming and acidification could lead to catastrophic shark embryo survival decline by 2100. Monthly temperature variation plays a significant role in mortality rates.
The KAIST-Yonsei University research team has developed a novel, high-performance paper coating material made from biodegradable plastic that improves the sustainability of paper packaging. The coating material was tested for its biodegradability and found to achieve 59-82% biodegradation in marine environments.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification changes the mix of microbes in coral reef systems, which can be used as an early indicator of ecosystem stress. The research suggests a novel measurement approach by analyzing microbial communities alongside larger organisms.
Researchers have discovered the first known nitrogen-fixing organelle within a eukaryotic cell, which challenges current understanding of biological nitrogen fixation. The discovery provides insight into ocean ecosystems and has potential implications for agriculture.
Researchers develop novel system to study coral skeletons, enabling climate-resilient coral polyp development. A gene from the stony coral Stylophora pistillata is used to induce calcium concentration and skeleton formation in a sea anemone.
A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the production and use of ammonia as a marine fuel can lead to eutrophication, acidification, and emissions of potent greenhouse gases. Researchers warn that the pursuit of low-carbon fuels may create new environmental challenges.
Research in Frobisher Bay, Nunavut, reveals both local source and long-range transport impacts on marine sediment contaminant levels. Local activities like construction and airport operations contributed to pollutant inputs, while legacy military sites and fossil fuel burning also played a role.
Tidal landscapes like mangroves and salt marshes are a greater carbon sink than previously thought, with stored carbon in biomass and muddy soils contributing to climate change mitigation. The new findings also show that bicarbonate exports from these ecosystems double the size of the carbon trap, making them even more effective.
A landmark study by National Geographic Pristine Seas finds that bottom trawling releases up to 370 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. The research also reveals high carbon emissions in areas such as East China Sea, Baltic, and North Seas.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School and NOAA finds that South Florida's inshore reefs are less vulnerable to ocean acidification than previously thought. The research highlights the importance of preserving seagrass meadows to mitigate climate-related threats to coral reefs.
The acidity of Antarctic coastal waters is projected to increase by over 100% by 2100, posing a significant threat to marine biodiversity. The Southern Ocean, surrounding Antarctica, is particularly susceptible to acidification, with the world's largest Marine Protected Area, Ross Sea region, expected to see a 104% increase in acidity.
A recent study by University of Queensland scientist Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg warns that record-breaking marine heatwaves will cause catastrophic mass coral bleaching worldwide. The research suggests that current marine heatwaves will likely lead to a global mass coral bleaching event over the next 12-24 months.
The Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda has warmed by 1°C over the past 40 years, with surface temperatures increasing by 0.24°C per decade since the 1980s. The ocean's salinity and oxygen levels have also decreased, leading to increased acidity, which can affect marine life.
Exposure to ocean acidification in red abalone can last across generations, affecting growth rates and reproductive potential. Scientists found that buffering the water chemistry at crucial life stages can help ease these effects for captive- and commercially raised red abalone.
Researchers from Incheon National University found that climate change impacts prokaryotes in oceans, altering methane and nitrous oxide cycles. This study highlights the need for policies to reduce ocean acidification and warming to stabilize vital microbial communities and greenhouse gas cycles.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School will conduct multi-stressor experiments on 16 key reef species to assess the impacts of ocean warming, acidification, and hypoxia on South Florida's coastal and marine ecosystems. The project aims to characterize the effects of climate change stressors under present and future scenarios.
A recent study found that ocean acidification in the Mediterranean is already affecting the calcification of marine plankton, with negative consequences for marine ecosystems. The research suggests that anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions are the main driver of this decline, while ocean warming may be mitigating this effect.
Researchers identified four new algae species, challenging previous taxonomic assumptions, with far-reaching implications for coral reef ecosystem management. The discovery highlights the importance of continued research and conservation efforts to protect this unique biodiversity.
A new type of algal threat is displacing corals globally due to blocking sunlight and producing harmful chemicals. Peyssonnelioid alga crusts are expanding quickly across reefs, killing off corals and transforming entire ecosystems.
The California Academy of Sciences and Roatán Marine Park have been awarded a $1.5 million grant to construct the first coral rearing facility in Honduras, aiming to reverse the rapid decline of coral reefs by 2030. Researchers will test three promising therapies to enhance coral resilience.
A new study reveals that the coral microbiome changes after just 48 hours when oxygen levels drop, with some bacteria increasing in abundance. The research suggests that changes in the microbiome may influence coral resilience to low oxygen conditions and warming seas.
Research suggests that coral reefs in Belize are experiencing a decline in growth rates, with accretion rates decreasing over the past 9,000 years. This decline has significant implications for tropical island nations and the impact of climate change.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change assesses the last 24 years of ocean acidification research and finds that negative effects remain consistently observed. The researchers' efforts to reproduce early results have shown improvement over time, with sufficient data contributing to a rebuilt confidence in the community.
A study found that ocean acidification reduced the strength and density of fleshy seaweed tissues, making them more fragile and susceptible to damage. The research suggests that this could have drastic effects on coastal ecosystems, leading to a decrease in seaweed coverage and negatively impacting organisms dependent on these habitats.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.