The ocean acidification reached a point when, according to research, it threatens the planet’s health itself. Plymouth Marine Laboratory Scientists in the United Kingdom in cooperation with the US National Oceans and atmosphere and Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Study at the Oregon State University found that they found that The acidic acid limit was exceeded five years ago.
“Ocean acidification is not just an environmental crisis – it is a ticking timed marine ecosystem bomb and coastal economies,” said profesor Steve Widdicombe from PML and co -chairman of the global network to observe ocean acidification. Scientists have combined new and historical physical and chemical data from ice cores with advanced computer models and marine life studies.
The analysis shows that by 2020 the average situation of the world oceans has been approached – and in some areas, it has already exceeded – a critical limit defined by a decrease in the calcium carbonate concentration in water by more than twenty percent compared to the pre -industrial period. Sixty percent of the world’s waters exceeded the safe acid limit at a depth of 200 meters.
“Most marine life is not just on the surface. Deeper waters are home to a much greater variety of plants and animals. Since these layers change rapidly, the effects of acidifications can be much worse than we thought, ” she stressed Professor Helen Findlay z PML.
Decreasing pH damages coral reefs and other underwater habitats, in extreme cases it may dissolve marine animals. Types with calcium boxes such as corals, oysters, mussels and shells have weaker boxes, they grow more slowly, they reproduce less and survive worse.
The authors of the study emphasize that The only way to stop acidification is a global reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, protective measures should focus on the most endangered regions and species.
“This message clearly says: Time is running out and what we do – or not – already today, decides on our future. We are facing an existential threat and at the same time cruel reality, that a large proportion of suitable habitats for key species has already been lost. Governments can no longer afford to overlook the acidification in their main political programs, ” said Jessie Turner, director of the International Alliance to combat oceans.
