Acidification of water affects marine ecosystems

July 30, 2018, 15:56
London, Jul 30 (PL) Scientists have badyzed the levels of ocean acidity and CO2 in the atmosphere over the past 22 million years. Years and have determined that if the situation does not change the acidification (PH) will seriously affect marine ecosystems.

Researchers at the University of Cardiff in the UK based their findings on the study of fossils of marine creatures that were then living on the surface of the sea.

When l & # 39; The carbon emissions recorded by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations revealed that "the current pH of water is already the lowest of the last two million years.

Sindia Sosdian, head of research, warned that "the new geological data from the recorded acidification of water show that if emissions continue on the same path, the ocean will be in conditions not experienced by marine ecosystems for 14 million years "during the climatic optimum of Miocene

Specialists ensure that it is necessary to study in depth and long-term marine ecosystem and fossils to understand The implications of acidification

The acidity of the seas occurs when seawater absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. The higher the acidity, the lower the pH.

Since the middle of the 19th century, the oceans have already absorbed 525 billion tons of CO2; In fact, the shells of some marine species have already begun to dissolve because of these levels, says Sosdian.

According to researchers, if nothing is done to reduce emissions CO2, by the time 2100 levels of carbon in the atmosphere will have doubled.
mv / mfg / cvl