Articles tagged with Ocean Acidification
A mesocosm experiment revealed that ocean acidification impairs the calcifying phytoplankton species Emiliania huxleyi's ability to form blooms, leading to reduced population size and flux of organic matter. This has strong impacts on the ecosystem, including reduced sinking of organic matter and altered climate feedbacks.
A new study found that toxic marine snow formed by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia can reach significant depths quickly and persist for months. This marine snow can accumulate high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin that can cause neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms in humans.
A new study combining dozens of existing researches predicts how ocean acidification will impact marine habitats like coral reefs, seagrasses, and kelp forests. The results show that these habitats are vulnerable to acidification, with potential declines in species diversity and complexity.
The study predicts that countries in Oceania and Southeast Asia will be most affected by 2050, with high human dependence on coral reefs also facing combined threats from climate change and ocean acidification.
A new analysis predicts that most coral reef ecosystems will be severely impacted by ocean acidification and sea surface temperature rise, leading to lost fish habitats and shoreline protection. The study suggests that policy action must be informed by data and science to combat these threats and mitigate their effects on communities.
Researchers have used modern tools to study the atomic-scale formation of a marine shell, revealing that organisms exert control over shell growth and influencing ocean chemistry. The study sheds light on how these creatures adapt to changing environmental conditions and responds to ocean acidification.
A recent study found increased ocean acidification in the northeast Pacific Ocean, primarily caused by anthropogenic carbon dioxide. The region's pH has dropped by 0.002 units per year, making it harder for marine species to build shells.
Increasing ocean acidification could double the mortality of newly-hatched cod larvae, potentially decreasing recruitment by one quarter to one twelfth of previous levels. This would put fisheries under pressure if exploitation remains unchanged.
A new study shows that climate change impacts seawater chemistry, reducing sperm performance in sea urchins and changing the rules of sperm competition. This could affect the outcome when rival males compete to fertilize eggs, impacting marine species survival.
A laboratory study reveals that rising water temperatures have a more significant impact on copepods than ocean acidification, affecting their body size and fatty acid content. The study suggests that food webs will deteriorate due to decreased food quality.
Researchers studied coral species at volcanic CO2 vents in Papua New Guinea and found that they can regulate their internal pH, allowing them to grow despite ocean acidification. This discovery provides insights into the potential long-term survival of corals under climate change scenarios.
Scientists tested Emiliania huxleyi's ability to adapt to ocean acidification over four years, finding limited growth rate improvement despite genetic identity. The study revealed that evolution amplifies negative effects on calcification, while adapted populations can still form calcium carbonate platelets under current CO2 conditions.
New studies show that ocean warming exacerbates the impacts of ocean acidification on calcareous phytoplankton, hampering their evolutionary success and physiological performance. The researchers found an increase in malformed coccoliths in warmer and more acidic oceans.
A study by University of California - Davis found that ocean acidification makes it harder for sea snails to escape from predatory sea stars. Lower pH levels impaired the snails' ability to sense and respond to the predators, with a tipping point at pH levels as low as 7.1.
A new study reveals that shellfish response to ocean acidification depends on food availability and other stressors. The study found that juvenile mussels grew fastest in locations with frequent low pH conditions and abundant food supply, while those with inconsistent food and high body temperatures were more vulnerable to predators.
A survey of 2,501 Britons found that just 1 in 5 people know about ocean acidification, a critical environmental issue. The study highlights the need to raise public awareness and understanding of this topic, which is often overlooked despite its importance for marine ecosystems.
A new study by University of Miami researchers found that ocean acidification is dissolving limestone on coral reefs in the upper Florida Keys at an alarming rate. The annual loss of reef poses a significant threat to the ecosystem's health and the estimated $7.6 billion asset value of these reefs.
Researchers developed a specialized sensor to measure changing chemistry deep inside coral, revealing that carbonate ion concentrations are similar to seawater. The findings support the idea that corals have a proton pump to regulate pH and allow calcification to occur.
Current methods for predicting damage to coral reefs are limited by a focus on individual species in isolation. To address this, researchers propose combining empirical evidence with traditional biological scaling models and computer simulations to understand the emergent properties of acidification-afflicted reef ecosystems. This appr...
A 20-member scientific panel warns that increases in global carbon dioxide emissions are acidifying waters of the North American West Coast at an accelerating rate, with severe ecological consequences anticipated. The panel recommends a coordinated regional management strategy to mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification.
Using tiny bubbles in seawater can help reduce acidity and promote coral growth, potentially saving the world's largest reef systems. The technique could provide a cost-effective solution to mitigate the effects of climate change.
A study found that ocean acidification worsens during nighttime hours in tide pools along California's rocky coast. The increasing acidity harms calcifying organisms like mussels and oysters by dissolving their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.
A recent study found that epaulette shark embryos can withstand ocean acidification conditions predicted for the year 2100, but may be vulnerable when gills are still developing. This suggests that sharks may be more resilient than previously thought, but their survival depends on maintaining healthy habitats.
A special issue on ocean acidification is published by ICES Journal of Marine Science, exploring various effects and interactions with other environmental drivers. The issue features studies with both negative and no significant effects, promoting a broader understanding of the complex mechanisms involved.
A recent study found that ocean acidification is already affecting coral reefs, causing them to grow slower than they did in preindustrial conditions. The research, published in Nature, manipulated seawater chemistry in a natural coral-reef community to determine the impact of excess carbon dioxide on coral reef growth.
Coral reefs are already experiencing slower growth due to ocean acidification, which is causing coral calcification rates to decrease. The study found that increasing the pH of seawater can stimulate calcification rates.
Scientists have found that ocean acidification is already slowing coral reef growth, with the potential for widespread devastation if left unchecked. Researchers manipulated seawater chemistry in a natural ecosystem to determine the impact of excess CO2 on coral reefs.
Coralline algae, crucial for marine biodiversity, are becoming less robust due to ocean acidification. The skeletal structure of these algae is vulnerable to changes in carbonate chemistry, which can lead to habitat loss and reduced support for other species.
A study found that ocean acidification can lead to genetic drift in populations, hindering adaptation to climate change. The researchers observed changes in shell length and sex ratio, as well as increased metabolic rates, in response to acidic waters.
A recent West Coast study emphasizes the impacts of ocean acidification and low-oxygen conditions on marine organisms, highlighting serious challenges for life in these areas. The results show that multiple stressors will only increase as ocean conditions worldwide resemble those off the West Coast.
A University of Adelaide study finds that warmer oceans and increased CO2 levels will dramatically impact sharks' hunting ability, leading to reduced growth rates and changes in food webs. This loss of top-down control could accelerate shark extinction rates.
A new report by Plymouth University finds that ocean acidification is benefiting invasive species such as algae and jellyfish, which can cause toxic blooms and harm native herbivores. As CO2 levels rise, these organisms are becoming more resilient and spreading to new areas.
The study found that pteropods, a tiny sea snail, will struggle to form their shells due to low carbonate ion concentration. The duration of undersaturation events will increase abruptly, posing an uncertain adaptation for vulnerable marine organisms.
Seagrasses thrive in acidic waters near underwater volcanic vents, potentially increasing their ability to absorb carbon from the ocean. However, climate change also poses risks to these ecosystems, highlighting the need for further research.
New research reveals that comets could have created Europa's chaos terrain, while a study identifies areas vulnerable to global ocean acidification. Meanwhile, contaminated sediments pose a challenge in restoring rivers to their free-flowing state.
Ocean acidification is affecting global marine ecosystems, with the Arctic and Antarctic oceans being particularly vulnerable. The study reveals that waters with lower aragonite saturation state are more corrosive to shellfish and coral species.
A team of scientists found a coral species that can maintain a constant pH in its calcifying fluid, even under acidic conditions. This unique mechanism allows the coral to form its calcium carbonate skeleton and grow at a relatively constant rate.
Scientists studied how a more acidic ocean affects the protective shell of the mermaid's wineglass algae. They found that in high carbon dioxide conditions, skeletons contained 32% less calcium carbonate and were 40% less stiff and droopier. This could make them more susceptible to damage from ocean currents and grazing by marine animals.
Reduced skeletal calcification in marine algae leads to impaired performance, threatening ecosystem balance. The study reveals a significant impact on material stiffness and flexibility, with even small changes causing substantial drops in ability to resist loads.
A new study reveals that climate change will irreversibly force key ocean bacteria into high-speed reproduction, producing 50% more nitrogen. This accelerated growth can't be reversed and may lead to catastrophic die-offs of the microorganism and dependent species.
Researchers found that polychaete worms near volcanic vents in Mediterranean waters exhibit brooding behavior, producing larger eggs and adapting to harsh conditions. This adaptation may help species cope with increasing carbon dioxide levels in the sea.
A volcanic island's unique location allows scientists to study ocean acidification effects on a small scale. Elevated CO2 levels trigger a dramatic ecosystem change from vibrant coral to algae-covered rocks.
A new study found that corals pre-conditioned to increased temperature and ocean acidification produced healthier offspring, which can handle future environmental stressors. This rapid trans-generational acclimatization may help corals survive climate change.
A new study shows that carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere will not compensate for soaring emissions, even if atmospheric CO2 concentration is restored to pre-industrial levels. This would lead to ocean acidification and threatening marine life forms.
Phytoplankton, the base of marine food chains, may experience significant changes due to ocean acidification, with some species dying out while others thrive. The study found that increased acidity could lead to altered competition among species, affecting entire ecosystems and potentially impacting predators like polar bears.
Research reveals Alaskan coastal waters may struggle to support shellfish hatcheries due to ocean acidification, with potential impacts on the industry by 2040. The study highlights the need for effective monitoring and mitigation efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of shellfish farming in Alaska.
Researchers found that freshwater acidification impacts pink salmon's ability to survive, return to spawning grounds, and detect predators. The study highlights the need for further research on freshwater species' responses to rising carbon dioxide levels.
A new study reveals that the Arctic Ocean is rapidly becoming more corrosive to marine species, with surface waters of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas reaching levels of acidity that threaten shell-building animals by 2030. The Bering Sea is expected to reach this level of acidity by 2044.
A new study has found that coral reefs in Palau are showing few of the predicted responses to low pH caused by ocean acidification. Instead, these reefs exhibit increased bio-erosion, but also host more species and have greater coral cover than in other naturally low pH reef systems.
A new study led by University of Southampton researchers suggests that ocean acidification may not have caused the mass extinction of ammonites and other planktonic calcifiers. The research found that the asteroid impact was the primary cause of the extinctions, but not due to ocean acidification levels being too weak.
A new computer model developed by NOAA and research institutions will help inform scallop management decisions. The integrated assessment model evaluates the impacts of ocean acidification on Atlantic sea scallops, predicting potential declines in harvest levels and landings over the next several decades.
The study suggests that highly acidic oceans caused the extinction event, which lasted around 10,000 years. The research provides new insights into the threat posed by modern-day ocean acidification.
Researchers found a 24 percent decline in calcium carbonate production in large areas of the Southern Ocean over the past 17 years. This decline is linked to ocean acidification caused by climate change, which reduces calcification rates of coccolithophores.
Researchers found that Puget Sound's water has an average pH of about 7.8, making it acidic for seawater, and is already higher in dissolved carbon dioxide than the Earth's atmosphere. The lab's unique location allows for studying adaptation to these changes.
Researchers at MIT and LBNL reveal that magnesium concentration affects surface energy, leading to the formation of either calcite or aragonite. The discovery could lead to controlled synthesis of new materials with desired properties.
A study by Alfred Wegener Institute finds that ocean acidification negatively impacts diatom growth in the Southern Ocean, particularly under changing light conditions. Diatoms' biomass production could be drastically reduced in future scenarios with more acidic water.
A new report warns that US coastal communities dependent on the $1 billion shelled mollusk industry face long-term economic risks from ocean acidification. The analysis identified several 'hot zones' facing a number of risk factors, including the Pacific Northwest and Gulf of Mexico regions.
Scientists from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel reconstructed pH values of northern Pacific ocean over past 120 years with monthly resolution. The study found that the pH value has been declining since late 19th century, coinciding with rising carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere.
New techniques using satellite-mounted cameras and microwave sensors can monitor large areas of the ocean, quickly identifying regions most at risk from increasing acidification. This approach offers remote monitoring and could lead to further development of satellite sensors in the coming years.
A new study reveals how tiny marine organisms that attach to ships' hulls and rocks respond to ocean acidification. The research found that certain species, such as sea squirts and sponges, increase in number, while others, like hard shell worms, decline significantly.