What are the causes and consequences of ocean acidification for marine biodiversity?
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Causes and Consequences of Ocean Acidification for Marine Biodiversity
Causes of Ocean Acidification
Anthropogenic CO2 Emissions
The primary cause of ocean acidification is the absorption of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) by the world's oceans. This process alters seawater chemistry, leading to a decrease in pH levels and a reduction in carbonate ion concentration, which are critical for the formation of calcium carbonate structures in marine organisms . The rapid increase in atmospheric CO2 levels, primarily from fossil fuel combustion, is unprecedented and is driving significant changes in ocean chemistry .
Synergistic Environmental Stressors
Ocean acidification does not occur in isolation but is often accompanied by other environmental stressors such as global warming, nutrient runoff, and hypoxia. These factors can exacerbate the effects of acidification, leading to more severe impacts on marine ecosystems. For instance, increased temperatures can amplify the physiological stress on marine organisms already struggling with lower pH levels.
Consequences for Marine Biodiversity
Impact on Calcifying Organisms
Calcifying organisms, such as pteropods, foraminifera, corals, and some benthic invertebrates, are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification. The reduced availability of carbonate ions impairs their ability to produce and maintain calcium carbonate structures, leading to decreased survival, growth, and reproduction rates . This vulnerability is more pronounced in organisms that use less soluble forms of calcium carbonate, such as aragonite and calcite, compared to those using high-magnesium calcite.
Ecosystem-Level Changes
The decline in calcifying organisms can have cascading effects on marine ecosystems. For example, the degradation of coral reefs, which are vital for biodiversity, can lead to reduced habitat complexity and lower species diversity . Similarly, the loss of key habitat-forming species in other biogenic habitats, such as mussel beds and macroalgal habitats, can result in significant shifts in community structure and function .
Shifts in Species Distribution and Abundance
Ocean acidification can cause shifts in species distributions and abundances, potentially leading to the dominance of non-calcifying organisms such as fleshy algae over calcifying species. This shift can simplify ecosystems and reduce biodiversity, as observed in subtropical-temperate transition zones. Additionally, the sensitivity of different developmental stages and taxonomic groups to acidification varies, with mollusk larvae showing enhanced sensitivity, although this is not universal across all groups.
Impacts on Ecosystem Services
The degradation of biogenic habitats due to ocean acidification can lead to a loss of ecosystem services, such as coastal protection, fisheries, and aquaculture. The decline in habitat complexity and biodiversity reduces the resilience of marine ecosystems, making them more susceptible to other stressors and less capable of providing essential services to human societies.
Conclusion
Ocean acidification, driven by anthropogenic CO2 emissions, poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity. The impacts are particularly severe for calcifying organisms, leading to reduced survival, growth, and reproduction. These biological effects can cascade through ecosystems, causing shifts in species distributions, declines in biodiversity, and loss of ecosystem services. Addressing ocean acidification requires urgent action to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate its synergistic effects with other environmental stressors.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Impacts of ocean acidification on marine fauna and ecosystem processes
Meta-analysis reveals negative yet variable effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms.
Impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms: quantifying sensitivities and interaction with warming
Ocean Acidification and Its Potential Effects on Marine Ecosystems
Ocean acidification can mediate biodiversity shifts by changing biogenic habitat
Meta-analysis reveals complex marine biological responses to the interactive effects of ocean acidification and warming
Ocean acidification impacts on coastal ecosystem services due to habitat degradation
Reviews and Syntheses: Ocean acidification and its potential impacts on marine ecosystems
Ocean acidification drives community shifts towards simplified non-calcified habitats in a subtropical−temperate transition zone
Characterization factors for ocean acidification impacts on marine biodiversity
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