The Hidden Threat of Ocean Acidification

Our oceans are silently changing as they absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, about 30% of all human emissions. This process, known as ocean acidification, lowers the ocean's pH and disrupts delicate marine ecosystems. As CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it triggers chemical reactions that increase hydrogen ion levels, making the water more acidic while depleting essential carbonate ions needed by marine life.

The consequences ripple through the food chain. Shell-building organisms like corals, oysters, and plankton struggle to form and maintain their calcium carbonate structures, leaving them weak and vulnerable. Creatures that rely on these organisms, whether for food or habitat also suffer, leading to broader disruptions in marine biodiversity.

Coral reefs, already threatened by warming waters, face an additional crisis: acidification can dissolve existing coral skeletons and slow the growth of new ones, making reefs fragile and more prone to erosion. As these underwater ecosystems weaken, countless marine species lose their homes, threatening oceanic food webs and coastal communities that depend on them.

Ocean acidification isn’t just a problem for the deep sea—it’s a pressing global issue with real-world consequences.