Follow
The increased acidity of our planet’s oceans might be putting coral reefs at risk.
According to a new report, which the journal Nature recently published, coral reefs are at a very high risk because of the increased acidity in the planet’s oceans.
This is also a result of climate change, and it seems that it could seriously harm coral reef growth over the next few decades if the problem of carbon dioxide emissions persists.
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is over 1,400 miles long and is held as being the largest coral reef in the world. It is also the planet’s biggest living organism structure.
To reach these results, the researchers conducted an experiment during which they intentionally made seawater acidic. Then, they allowed it to flow over a community of natural coral reefs.
According to study lead author, Rebecca Albright, these findings are substantial evidence that the acidification of the oceans will slow down coral reef growth in the following years.
The best solution for his would be to drastically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to avoid such a disaster.
Studies have shown that climate change is primarily at fault for the shifting of the ocean water towards the more acidic side of the chemical balance.
Coral Reefs at Risks because They Might Stop Growing
It’s important to know that this type of acid is not like the one seen in chemistry experiments. Typically, the water in oceans is slightly alkaline.
However, after the Industrial Revolution began back in the 1800s, the oceans of the world have become about 30% more acidic. This is happening because climate change creates excess carbonic acid. The oceans then absorb it.
Other experts agree with this study, saying that they already knew about acidic oceans and their influence on coral reef growth. However, this new experiment confirmed it and informed people about the degree of severity of this phenomenon.
Image source: Wikimedia
