Ocean acidification studies

Ocean acidification refers to the process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities, like burning fossil fuels. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, lowering the pH of the water. This change can harm marine life, particularly creatures with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as coral, mollusks, and some plankton. Studies aim to understand the impacts on ecosystems, food webs, and fisheries, as these changes threaten biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities that rely on ocean resources.