What is the Ocean acidification and marine biodiversity?
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Ocean Acidification and Marine Biodiversity
Introduction to Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification refers to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of increased anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which dissolve in seawater and form carbonic acid, leading to lower pH levels and altered carbonate chemistry . The rapid change in ocean chemistry is unprecedented and poses significant threats to marine biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
Impact on Marine Organisms
Calcifying Organisms
Calcifying organisms, such as corals, mollusks, and some plankton species, are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification. The reduced availability of carbonate ions, essential for forming calcium carbonate structures, impairs their ability to build and maintain shells and skeletons . Studies have shown that calcification rates decrease significantly under acidified conditions, leading to weaker and more brittle structures . This vulnerability is especially pronounced in organisms that use less soluble forms of calcium carbonate, such as aragonite and calcite, compared to those using high-magnesium calcite.
Non-Calcifying Organisms
Non-calcifying organisms also experience negative effects from ocean acidification, though the impacts are more variable. For instance, some species of seagrasses and macroalgae may benefit from increased CO2 levels, which can enhance photosynthesis and growth. However, the overall trend indicates that many marine species, including fish and invertebrates, suffer from reduced survival, growth, and reproductive success under acidified conditions .
Ecosystem-Level Impacts
Habitat Complexity and Biodiversity
Ocean acidification can lead to significant changes in the structure and complexity of marine habitats. For example, coral reefs, which are highly sensitive to pH changes, may experience reduced biodiversity and structural complexity, leading to less diverse and less resilient ecosystems. Similarly, mussel beds and some macroalgal habitats are predicted to decline, while seagrass habitats might expand, although this prediction lacks strong empirical support.
Trophic Interactions and Food Webs
The effects of ocean acidification extend beyond individual species to entire food webs. Changes in the abundance and distribution of key species can alter trophic interactions and lead to shifts in community composition. For instance, studies have shown that acidification can simplify food webs by reducing the number of trophic groups and increasing the dominance of generalist species. This simplification can decrease ecosystem resilience and functionality, making marine communities more susceptible to additional stressors.
Synergistic Effects with Other Stressors
The combined effects of ocean acidification and other environmental stressors, such as warming, hypoxia, and pollution, can exacerbate the negative impacts on marine biodiversity. Research indicates that the interaction between acidification and warming often results in synergistic effects, leading to more severe biological responses than either stressor alone . For example, combined stressors can significantly impair calcification, photosynthesis, reproduction, and survival in marine organisms.
Conclusion
Ocean acidification poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity, affecting a wide range of organisms and ecosystem processes. Calcifying organisms are particularly vulnerable, but non-calcifying species and entire ecosystems also face substantial risks. The synergistic effects of acidification with other stressors further complicate the picture, highlighting the need for comprehensive and ecologically realistic studies to predict and mitigate future impacts. Addressing ocean acidification requires urgent and coordinated efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and protect marine ecosystems.
Sources and full results
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