Ocean acid leaves mollusks naked and confused (October 26 2012) Ocean acid leaves mollusks naked and confused (October 26 2012)

Stephen Leahy the Canadian Journalist and lead international science and environment correspondent at IPS News, has published an article titled ‘Ocean Acidification Leaves Mollusks Naked and Confused’ on the effects of carbon dioxide absorbed by the oceans. “When dissolved in seawater, carbonic acid is formed and calcium carbonate, vital for the formation of the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms, becomes scarcer.” Leahy states “Climate change will ruin Chilean sea snails’ ability to sniff out and avoid their archenemy, a predatory crab  … as the oceans become more and more acidic, some fish become hyperactive and confused, and move towards their predators instead of trying to escape. …nearly 600 scientists from around the world presented their research at the Third International Symposium on the Ocean in a High-CO2 World: Ocean Acidification in Monterey, California. Researchers discovered only 10 years ago that burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas has made the oceans about 30 percent more acidic since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. One third of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from using fossil fuels has been absorbed by the oceans. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, carbonic acid is formed. This phenomenon, known as ocean acidification, reduces the availability of calcium carbonate, which interferes with the formation of the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms. The combination of greater acidity and a lower concentration of calcium carbonate in the water also has consequences for the physiological functions of numerous living beings. This is basic, undisputed ocean chemistry.”

 

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