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The Environment / What are the implications of decreasing ph in the oceans?
« on: 06/05/2010 13:52:48 »
Yes, there is already evidence that ocean acidity has increased, and that it has had an effect on animals. The increased acidity changes the chemical equilibrium in the oceans, making it easier for calcium compounds (like the carbonate shells of many marine organisms) to dissolve, or to put it another way, harder for animals to lay down solid calcium compounds.
Pteropods or 'sea butterflies' are a type of gastropod that need calcium in order to build their shells. In a comparison between pre-Industrial specimens and modern specimens, the modern ones were shown to have much thinner shells. Other ecologically important species that will respond badly to increased acidification are corals and crustaceans. Corals will find it harder to build suitable solid structures, be more greatly affected by warming oceans and more likely to bleach and die. Krill, a type of crustacean are keystone species in many ocean foodchains, particularly in temperate-polar waters. Australian scientists have shown that increased acidity during development leads to fewer eggs hatching and deformed adults - a serious ecological and economic threat.
Pteropods or 'sea butterflies' are a type of gastropod that need calcium in order to build their shells. In a comparison between pre-Industrial specimens and modern specimens, the modern ones were shown to have much thinner shells. Other ecologically important species that will respond badly to increased acidification are corals and crustaceans. Corals will find it harder to build suitable solid structures, be more greatly affected by warming oceans and more likely to bleach and die. Krill, a type of crustacean are keystone species in many ocean foodchains, particularly in temperate-polar waters. Australian scientists have shown that increased acidity during development leads to fewer eggs hatching and deformed adults - a serious ecological and economic threat.