Global warming is not the only ecological problem related to CO2 output- our oceans are in danger as well. Well, more specifically, the life inside those oceans is in danger. This article explains the dangers of CO2 causing our oceans’ pH levels to lower, (ocean acidification), resulting in problems for marine organisms in general. Many shelled creatures have trouble building those shells, and coral or other organisms have trouble building up their skeleton. Not only that, but scientists say that these lowering pH levels are causing basic functions to become more difficult for many creatures. If humans don’t intervene soon, the article states that there will be irreparable damage to various species and food chains, affecting humans as well
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This may help with climate change, but at the cost of rapidly acidifying ocean waters. If our greenhouse gas emission levels stay constant, the pH of the ocean could drop to a value of 7.7 or 7.8- a seemingly small but also extremely significant difference from its current pH of 8.1, which is already causing problems.
This is the first time we have seen this happen since millions of years ago. Scientists say, however, that when this did last occur, it led to widespread death of ocean organism life. It occurred because of CO2 levels in the atmosphere doubling, due to volcanic eruptions and methane releases. This was considered to be the largest mass extinction ever. Over ninety percent of sea life died in this event. If nothing is done to change our CO2 emissions, something similar may happen in the future.
Even on a small-scale level, pH changes everything. For just one small organism, a lower water acidity can affect their entire lifespan. Much more energy needs to be devoted to maintaining an internal balance when the pH around a creature doesn’t match the one it needs to be in. If more energy is being expended converting pH to keep up homeostasis, less energy can go to major things such as development, growth, and reproduction, all of which are essential to keep a balance within the food
This may help with climate change, but at the cost of rapidly acidifying ocean waters. If our greenhouse gas emission levels stay constant, the pH of the ocean could drop to a value of 7.7 or 7.8- a seemingly small but also extremely significant difference from its current pH of 8.1, which is already causing problems.
This is the first time we have seen this happen since millions of years ago. Scientists say, however, that when this did last occur, it led to widespread death of ocean organism life. It occurred because of CO2 levels in the atmosphere doubling, due to volcanic eruptions and methane releases. This was considered to be the largest mass extinction ever. Over ninety percent of sea life died in this event. If nothing is done to change our CO2 emissions, something similar may happen in the future.
Even on a small-scale level, pH changes everything. For just one small organism, a lower water acidity can affect their entire lifespan. Much more energy needs to be devoted to maintaining an internal balance when the pH around a creature doesn’t match the one it needs to be in. If more energy is being expended converting pH to keep up homeostasis, less energy can go to major things such as development, growth, and reproduction, all of which are essential to keep a balance within the food