The Environment Magazine

Henry Yao
Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon, CA 94582

Underneath the mesmerizing clear blue surface of the ocean hides a much less beautiful secret, a deadly and dangerous trend that has not only damaged but also killed all that lies beneath that surface. According to CoastAdapt, since the times of the Industrial Revolution, which marks the period when our society shifted towards fossil fuels, in just about 200 years, the average pH level of ocean water dropped from 8.2 to 8.1, which is approximately a 26% increase in acidity, which over the last 55 million years, has been the fastest that acidity levels have increased in such a short time period.

Figure 1: Ocean Acidification Process (source britannica.com)

 The cause for this ocean acidification like the cause of many other environmental issues is carbon dioxide. According to NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), when carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, ocean water will often absorb it, on average absorbing about a third of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, leading to chemical reactions which results in carbon dioxide and water coming together to form carbonic dioxide, and in the process, releasing hydrogen ions that increase acidity. According to the National Ocean Service, by the end of the century, the average ocean pH level could possibly drop from its current value at around 8.1 to 7.8, a value only comparable to over 10 million years ago, which would be a 150% increase in acidity. 

Figure 2: Projected Ocean Acidification Trend (RCP8.5 – high emission, RCP2.6 – low emission) (source: coastadapt.com.au)

This acidification process of our oceans comes with grave consequences for great amounts of marine life along with our environment and even human life. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a higher acidity in the ocean corresponds with more hydrogen ions compared to carbonate, which leads to slower formations of calcium carbonate structures needed for shells and skeletons, and in cases of extreme acidity, these structures can be totally dissolved. This consequence of ocean acidification can impact many marine organisms including clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, corals, starfish, sea urchins, sea butterflies, and more. According to National Geographic, in the case of other animals like crabs and lobsters, ocean acidification can also slow down their shell shedding processes. This acidity also has the capability to greatly impact the development of these organisms. In the early stages of development, when marine organisms are much smaller during their larva stage, increased acidity has a great impact on the growth of these organisms. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, organisms like fish can lose their sense of smell and their ability to avoid predators, while other organisms like the sea urchin and oyster will not develop correctly.

Figure 3: Effects on Marine Life (source: mindthegraph.com)

Beyond the impact on just marine organisms, our environment and our lives will be affected as well. High acidity also has a huge effect on coral reefs, which according to NRDC, shelter over 25 percent of marine animals, and have already been experiencing damage, for example Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, which since 1990, has experienced a 14% decrease in the rate it builds. According to CoastAdapt, acidity can also make coral reefs much weaker against storms. When it comes to us, ocean acidification has the capability to greatly threaten marine life, which also can impact us. As marine life dies out, we lose valuable food sources and the markets associated with them which are a source of employment for many. CoastAdapt estimates that by the year 2100, losses of marine life caused by ocean acidification could reach economic losses of $100 billion annually, and the destruction of coral reefs, which protect civilian-inhabited coastlines from storms, would greatly endanger people and buildings. 

Figure 4: Coral Reef Protection of Coast (source: theconversation.com/us)

But it’s never too late for change. One way to combat the growing issue that ocean acidification is becoming is to limit our carbon outputs is by making simple changes in our daily life including eating and buying local products, biking or walking short distances instead of driving, recycling, and taking public transport like riding the bus or train and carpooling whenever possible. The second way that we can help slow down and prevent ocean acidification is to place efforts into ensuring that there are no pollutants or spills that are going into local water sources. These pollutants, including things like fertilizers, can also contribute to ocean acidification, and we should try our best to prevent harmful substances like these from entering marine environments.

References

Borunda, Alejandra. “Ocean Acidification Facts and Information.” National Geographic, 7 Aug. 2019, http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/critical-issues-ocean-acidification. 

“Effects of Ocean and Coastal Acidification on Marine Life.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/effects-ocean-and-coastal-acidification-marine-life#:~:text=Laboratory%20studies%20suggest%20changing%20ocean,feed%20on%20these%20sensitive%20organisms. Accessed 7 Apr. 2024. 

Hu, Shelia. “Ocean Acidification: What You Need to Know.” NRDC, 13 Oct. 2022, http://www.nrdc.org/stories/ocean-acidification-what-you-need-know#people. 

“Ocean Acidification and Its Effects.” CoastAdapt, 27 Apr. 2017, coastadapt.com.au/ocean-acidification-and-its-effects. 

“Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Save Money.” AustinTexas.Gov, 24 Mar. 2017, http://www.austintexas.gov/blog/top-10-ways-reduce-your-carbon-footprint-and-save-money. 

“What Is Ocean Acidification?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, 1 Aug. 2012, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/acidification.html#:~:text=Ocean%20acidification%20refers%20to%20a,CO2)%20from%20the%20atmosphere.