Oceans becoming more acidic

Different climate change models and similar studies have already raised concerns about the acidity levels of our oceans but latest study based on 24,519 measurements of ocean pH spanning eight years showed that things are even more serious as oceans acidity increased more than 10 times faster than in any previous study.

Such rapid increase will have devastating effect on marine food chains, causing rapid decline of biodiversity in our oceans. Such high levels of acidity in our oceans are the result of increasing carbon emissions. Carbon dioxide dissolves in water creating carbonic acid in process, increasing the acidity of the ocean.

Ocean's acidity is increasing at an alarming rate

High acidity levels in our oceans will lead to death of many sea creatures, especially the ones that have shells or skeletons made of calcium carbonate, that are easily dissolved by high acid levels. Among sea creatures most affected are corals and some types of planktons. Both of these species play important role in balance of the marine food web, and in the worst scenario the impact on the marine food chain will be catastrophic because these species represent the base of many ocean ecosystems.

Condition of our oceans is close to alarming, and still there is so little focus on them. Oceans have extremely rich biodiversity, providing habitats to many unique ecosystems, and what is also important they play important role in global carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide so there should be definitely more emphasis on oceans.