Several environmental factors affect our oceans, with climate change and ocean acidification being the most significant. These phenomena, which are closely related, directly impact global ecosystems, particularly marine life.
Since oceans cover roughly 70% of the Earth's surface, climate change and rising sea levels play a critical role in global climate impacts. Acidity levels in the ocean have been rising steadily since the Industrial Revolution, primarily due to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
This has led to ocean pH values dropping, making the water more slightly acidic. The increasing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and other human activities are fueling the crisis, causing a cascade of negative effects on marine ecosystems, food production, and human health.
If left unchecked, these changes will further destabilize natural ecosystems, threaten food production, and worsen global temperature rise. To protect marine life and maintain ocean health, immediate action is needed to reduce carbon dioxide levels and halt greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists are currently researching ways to combat rising acidity and protect marine biodiversity. Here’s everything you need to know about how climate change impacts the ocean's pH scale and what we can do to combat this growing threat.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in weather patterns and environmental conditions, driven by rising global temperatures. Often associated with global warming, climate change encompasses a wide range of phenomena, including sea level rise, ice melt, and more frequent extreme weather events such as heat waves and tropical cyclones.
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have contributed to the global average temperature increase over recent decades. These gases are primarily produced by burning fossil fuels, agricultural practices, and deforestation.
Fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal are major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere, amplifying the greenhouse effect and leading to the warming of the planet.
This climate change drives sea level rise and ice melt, particularly in the Arctic Ocean and Antarctic ice sheets. These changes have significant consequences, including the disruption of water supplies, damage to coastal areas, and a rising threat to human health due to worsening air and water quality.
What is Ocean Acidification?
Ocean acidification is the process by which oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in the pH value of seawater.
This has far-reaching environmental impacts on marine life, particularly species that rely on calcium carbonate to build shells and skeletons, such as corals and shellfish.
A more slightly acidic ocean hinders their ability to thrive, disrupting entire ecosystems and threatening human food sources.
Causes of Ocean Acidification
The main driver of ocean acidification is the surge in carbon dioxide levels due to human activities like the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Since the Industrial Revolution, over 525 billion tons of carbon dioxide have been absorbed by the oceans, dramatically lowering the pH value of seawater.
The absorption of carbon dioxide from the air into seawater has made the oceans more acidic, with the surface pH values dropping from 8.2 to around 8.1, a 30% increase in acidity.
Global Warming's Impact on the Arctic Ecosystem
Rising global temperatures have had a significant impact on the Arctic Ocean, where sea ice is melting at an alarming rate. As ice sheets thaw, they expose larger portions of the ocean to the atmosphere, increasing carbon dioxide absorption and further driving acidification.
The Arctic is particularly vulnerable due to its cold water, which absorbs carbon dioxide more readily than warm water. These changes threaten the delicate northern hemisphere ecosystems and disrupt vital deep-sea currents, potentially creating areas with dangerously high carbon dioxide concentrations.
Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Life
The changing climate and increasing acidity are taking a toll on marine life, affecting key physiological processes such as respiration, calcification, and reproduction.
Organisms like corals, shellfish, and mollusks, which depend on calcium carbonate, are particularly vulnerable. The disruption to their development impacts the broader food chain, with potential knock-on effects on human health and food production.
As marine life struggles to adapt to these conditions, the survival of species crucial to the global economy and human food sources is increasingly at risk.
How Can We Stop Acidification?
Reducing emissions is the most direct way to combat ocean acidification. Stricter regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, particularly those from large corporations and the burning of fossil fuels, are essential to curb this trend.
Switching to renewable energy sources can help reduce carbon dioxide output, slowing both global warming and ocean acidification.
Increased Scientific Research and Climate Action
Innovative research is being conducted to find ways to mitigate acidification. Studies on using seagrasses and kelp to absorb carbon dioxide are showing promise.
These plants naturally lower local acidity, creating protective environments for marine organisms like corals and mollusks. Efforts to transplant and farm these plants in affected areas may provide a critical tool in reversing some of the current and future impacts of ocean acidification.
Final Thoughts
Climate change is not just raising global temperatures and melting ice sheets, but also acidifying our oceans. As we face the ongoing effects of climate change, it's essential to understand the link between rising sea levels, acidification, and the health of marine ecosystems.
Through climate adaptation strategies, reducing emissions, and supporting scientific innovation, we can take meaningful steps toward mitigating the impact of ocean acidification on the planet.
By raising awareness and advancing research into solutions for ocean acidification, along with utilizing effective water filtration solutions from companies like AquaBliss, we can protect our oceans for future generations and ensure the continued survival of critical species within these ecosystems.
