BBC:
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions are lowering the pH
of the world's oceans: More CO
2, which reacts with water to form carbonate and
hydrogen ions, is being absorbed by seawater. The findings are
based on a recent report by the
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment
Programme, an advisory group created to provide information
and advice regarding ocean chemistry, anthropogenic pollution,
and associated issues. The Arctic Ocean is particularly
susceptible to CO
2 absorption for several reasons. Cold water absorbs
CO
2 faster than warm water. Also, the decrease in
summer sea ice is leaving more water surface exposed. And the
increasing flow of fresh water from rivers and melting land ice
"lowers the concentration of ions that buffers pH change," says
Richard Bellerby, the report's chairman. Acidity levels have
been reported to be about 30% higher now than before the
Industrial Revolution. While some ocean species may suffer,
others could thrive. What the long-term effects of increasing
acidification will be are still unknown.
