Acid in the Ocean? FL Reefs Swallow Bitter Pill of Carbon Pollution
Posted July 18, 2014 01:10 pm
This shell is a victim of ocean acidification. The
normally-protective shell is so thin and fragile, it is
transparent.
MIAMI, FL - This weekend, thousands of people will enjoy Florida's beaches, but many may not realize the saltwater they're swimming in is becoming increasingly acidic.
Another unpleasant side effect of global warming, ocean acidification is a steady decrease in the pH levels of ocean water, and scientists say it's caused by an increase of carbon dioxide.
While greater acidity has minimal direct impact on human
health, Derek Manzello, research oceanographer for the
Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in
Miami, says the state's coral reefs are suffering the
most.
"We're concerned that as we move forward into a high-CO2
world, we're going to see coral reefs becoming erosional
features and basically, degrading over time," he says.
Weakened reefs affect the organisms that depend on them.
And Manzello and other scientists also point out that
with less healthy growth, coral reefs off the Florida
coast and around the world will offer less protection to
coastlines in the event of severe weather.
Manzello says the increased acidity has potential to
weaken the state's fishing economy, with many types of
high-value marine life found in and around the state's
coral reefs.
"Reef structures are home to a lot of economically
important species, like spiny lobsters, stone crabs,
many fishes," he points out.
According to numerous scientific studies around the
world, shells of some marine animals are becoming
thinner because of acidification, making them more
vulnerable to predators.
In June, the Obama administration announced increased
funding to research ocean biochemistry, including the
problem of acidification.
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