The ocean acidification It is an environmental problem that often goes unnoticed compared to the climate change, but its effects are just as alarming. This phenomenon is the result of the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) by the oceans, which causes an increase in the acidity of the water and has devastating consequences for marine life and ocean ecosystems.
Ocean acidification: causes and consequences
The main cause of ocean acidification is increase in CO2 emissions to the atmosphere due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial production. Around 30% of the CO2 emitted by these activities is absorbed by the oceans, causing a series of chemical reactions which increase the concentration of hydrogen ions and decrease the concentration of carbonate ions in water.
This alteration in ocean chemistry It has harmful effects on marine life, especially organisms with calcareous shells and skeletons, such as corals, plankton, mollusks and certain crustaceans. The decrease in carbonate ions makes the formation and maintenance of these shells and skeletons difficultwhich can lead to the dissolution of these organisms and the disappearance of coral reefs.
The Coral reefs are essential ecosystems for marine biodiversity and provide habitats and refuges for a wide variety of species. Additionally, coral reefs protect coastlines from erosion and contribute to the local economy through tourism and fishing. The disappearance of coral reefs would have catastrophic consequences for marine life and coastal ecosystems.
Ocean acidification It also affects the marine food chain, since many of the affected organisms are a source of food for higher species. This could have cascading effects on the biodiversity and productivity of ocean ecosystems, as well as fisheries and food security around the world.
Areas of greatest incidence
Ocean acidification is a global phenomenon, but its impact varies depending on the region and local conditions. The polar zoneslike the Arctic and Antarctic, are especially vulnerable to acidification due to the increased solubility of CO2 in cold waters and decreasing sea ice cover, which allows for greater CO2 uptake.
Furthermore, coastal areas and shallow water ecosystems, such as mangroves and estuaries, are also susceptible to ocean acidification. These ecosystems already face a number of environmental pressures, such as pollution, eutrophication and habitat loss, and acidification can exacerbate these problems.
In the tropical zones, coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to acidification as they depend on the availability of carbonate ions to maintain their calcareous structures. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Caribbean and the South Pacific are some of the areas most affected by this phenomenon.
Possible solutions
The most effective, long-term solution to address ocean acidification is reduce CO2 emissions globally. This involves adopting climate change mitigation policies, such as the Paris Agreement, and promoting the transition to clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and hydropower. It is also essential to promote Sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry and industry to reduce CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases.
At the local level, it is possible to implement measures to protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems that can help mitigate the effects of ocean acidification. These measures include the creation of marine protected areas, the restoration of degraded habitats such as mangroves and seagrasses, and the promotion of sustainable fishing practices.
It is also important promote scientific research on ocean acidification to better understand its impacts on marine ecosystems and develop adaptation and mitigation strategies. For example, innovative approaches are being studied, such as adding alkaline materials, such as limestone, to affected areas to increase the concentration of carbonate ions and reduce water acidity.
only through collective action and international cooperation we will be able to confront the silent but devastating threat of ocean acidification.
Sources:
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Reports and publications of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in particular the International Program on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
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Research and studies published in specialized scientific journals, such as Nature, Scienceand Marine Pollution Bulletin.
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Reports and resources Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
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Websites of governmental and non-governmental organizations dedicated to the conservation and protection of the oceans, such as the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
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Contact of the Environment section: crisisclimatica@prensaiberica.es