Due to the carbon dioxide levels increasing over time, the acidification of the ocean has become much stronger. Behavior patterns are not the only thing changing because of the rising temperatures; the migration patterns are changing as well. I chose to analyze a marine science article published by Inside Science News. The article, “Ocean Acidification May Change How Sharks Behave,” was based on a study that was trying to prove how swimming patterns and temperature changes would affect a shark’s behavioral patterns. The statement, ‘sharks will drown if they stop swimming,’ has been proved as a myth, however, as the acidity increases in the ocean, sharks have been found to be swimming for longer periods of time. It has been suggested that
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“Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations will continue to rise, potentially reaching 940 parts per million by 2100 and absorb enough heat to significantly boost average global temperatures.” (Choi). The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide-causing seawater to acidify. The acidification process also causes many coral reefs to dissolve, and the behavior of bony fish is disrupted. Very little is known about shark reactions when it comes to ocean acidification, so scientists exposed catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula) to higher acidification levels. When exposed to high concentration, the sharks seemed robust, but with normal growth. Furthermore, sharks which were exposed to higher concentrations had an altered blood chemistry. As a result to catsharks being exposed to normal carbon concentration, the nocturnal swimming patterns were normal, but with many starts and stops. In contrast, when catsharks were exposed to a high concentration, they had fewer, longer bouts of swimming, and swam towards the surface more often. If this experiment was conducted over time, the effects would be much greater, however, these results were taken over a period of a few …show more content…
This causes the species in the species in the ocean to either adapt to the changes or to migrate to another section of the ocean that meets their needs. For example, as the temperatures in the ocean rise, dolphins have migrated further down into the southern hemisphere. Polar bears have been found feasting on caucuses of dolphins in the Arctic. Glaciers have also been dissolving at a faster rate than a hundred years ago. As the glaciers dissolve, they move further apart from each other. This causes female polar bears to move further inland when delivering their cubs. When the female polar bears hunt for food, they are not able to stray far from their den, causing them to starve. In conclusion, ocean acidification causes a problem in the ecosystem. Not only are behavior patterns changed of marine life, but migration patterns are as well. The common theme that I have found is absorption of carbon dioxide in the ocean. This causes massive changes throughout the ocean, all over the
“Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations will continue to rise, potentially reaching 940 parts per million by 2100 and absorb enough heat to significantly boost average global temperatures.” (Choi). The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide-causing seawater to acidify. The acidification process also causes many coral reefs to dissolve, and the behavior of bony fish is disrupted. Very little is known about shark reactions when it comes to ocean acidification, so scientists exposed catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula) to higher acidification levels. When exposed to high concentration, the sharks seemed robust, but with normal growth. Furthermore, sharks which were exposed to higher concentrations had an altered blood chemistry. As a result to catsharks being exposed to normal carbon concentration, the nocturnal swimming patterns were normal, but with many starts and stops. In contrast, when catsharks were exposed to a high concentration, they had fewer, longer bouts of swimming, and swam towards the surface more often. If this experiment was conducted over time, the effects would be much greater, however, these results were taken over a period of a few …show more content…
This causes the species in the species in the ocean to either adapt to the changes or to migrate to another section of the ocean that meets their needs. For example, as the temperatures in the ocean rise, dolphins have migrated further down into the southern hemisphere. Polar bears have been found feasting on caucuses of dolphins in the Arctic. Glaciers have also been dissolving at a faster rate than a hundred years ago. As the glaciers dissolve, they move further apart from each other. This causes female polar bears to move further inland when delivering their cubs. When the female polar bears hunt for food, they are not able to stray far from their den, causing them to starve. In conclusion, ocean acidification causes a problem in the ecosystem. Not only are behavior patterns changed of marine life, but migration patterns are as well. The common theme that I have found is absorption of carbon dioxide in the ocean. This causes massive changes throughout the ocean, all over the