Ocean Acidification Program

Ocean acidification refers to the process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. When CO2 is absorbed by seawater, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, lowering the pH of the water. This change can harm marine life, particularly organisms like coral and shellfish that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. The Ocean Acidification Program aims to study these changes, understand their impacts on marine ecosystems, and develop strategies to mitigate the effects, ultimately protecting ocean health and the livelihoods that depend on it.