Predictions for the future
Predictions of future acidification expext even greater decreases in ocean pH.
Some projections anticipate a drop going as low as pH 7.8 by 2100. Scientists estimate this to be most acidic natural water in 100,000,000 years (Walsh, 2014). pH at this level is corrosive to certain organisms. One example is the Pteropod, or ‘sea butterfly.’ Experiments done by NOAA put Pteropod shells in pH 7.8 water and observed the changes. As shown in the figure below, the shell dissolves within a 45 day period. Corrosivness to this extent would be very bad news for all sorts of species.
Coral reefs may be put at risk as well. Coral reefs will begin to have severe problems producing their skeletons, another example of an issue caused by lower calcium carbonate concentration. In addition to that studies point to the fact that increased ocean acidification hinders coral larva’s ability to fertilize and survive (Albright, 2010). This makes growth hard for Coral. In fact some research has indicated that coral will be erroding faster than it can regenerate by the time we reach the end of this century (NOAA, n.d.). Not only does this pose a serious threat to coral species, many of which are endangered, but also to the organisms that use and depend on the coral as a habitat.
But this is all assuming CO2 emissions continue at their current rate. If we stop our carbon emissions now our we won't have to pay the price later. Reducing emissions is a small price to pay for ecological security.
If any of these facts have you concerned, Take Action! Turn over to the next page to see how you can make a difference.
http://th04.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/338/9/8/water_pattern_by_nemaakos-d5n2v50.jpg
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/files/pteropodpics1_med.jpg