Oceans should have a pH level of around 8.2, However has fallen 0.1 pH. If it continues to drop it will be around 7.8 by 2100. Monitoring the pH levels in oceans is extremely important as it affects the marine eco-system (Kolbert, 2016).
The Great Barrier Reef is one example of the destruction that ocean acidification can make. Acidification along with ocean warming poses greater threats in coral bleaching. Corals need to sustain calcification so that they can use it for coral recovery and repair after physical erosion. AIMS researcher have discovered that CO2 caries across the Great Barrier Reef, however the effects of acidifies seawater will be that the massive corals will lose their structural complexity and lose …show more content…
As acidification changes the chemistry of the ocean, it reduces the water’s ability to absorb and muffle low frequency sound by 40%, which makes certain parts of the ocean noisier than other parts. Ocean acidification alters the reproduction in some species. Species that have or grow shells or have an exoskeleton of calcium carbonate like prawns, molluscs, gastropods and corals. With animals without protection are most vulnerable to get eaten or attacked by predator, this means that there will be rapid changes throughout the food chain. Furthermore, it affects the marine organisms, biodiversity and fisheries. Scientist noticed that carbon dioxide dissolves immediately in cold water than in warm water. They have also documented that pteropod shells grow more slowly in acidified water, they are extremely important as they are food for fish, whales and bird in the Arctic and Antarctic’ (Kolbert, …show more content…
It is known that acidified waters help with the coral bleaching process and decreases the growth rate by reducing calcification rates. Corals which produce high magnesium-calcite and aragonite, also produces lots of calcium carbonate that makes up the reef structures, which provide homes and protection to a wide range of marine organisms. The acidification also reduces reproduction and recruitment rates within the coral environment. There is concern that ocean acidification will limit and reduce the biodiversity. It is likely that the changes in the species abundances due to the tolerance or intolerance or indirect changes through in competitive interactions will happen in the future (National Research council,