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Researchers warned that carbon dioxide emissions are destroying coral reefs and kelp forests, heat waves and ocean acidification damaging marine ecosystems
. have already had a marked effect on our seas.
But if CO levels 2 continue to increase as expected, the coming decades and the lowering of the pH of seawater will have an even greater impact big and potentially catastrophic. ] Their predictions follow an extensive study of the effects of recently discovered volcanic CO 2 which infiltrated off Japan's Shikine Island on the border of temperate and tropical climates. .
Ocean currents in the region are naturally low levels of surface water CO 2 similar to those that would have existed prior to the global industrial revolution. However, volcanic seeps indicate how the rise of CO 2 will affect future ecology, both in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.
Primary Author Dr. Sylvain Agostini, Associate Professor at the University of Tsukuba Shimoda Marine Research Center, said: "These oozing CO 2 provide a vital window into the future.There was massive mortality corals in southern Japan last year, but many people cling to the hope that the coral will be so it is extremely disturbing to find that tropical corals are so vulnerable to the # 39, acidification of the oceans, as this would prevent them from spreading further north and escape the damage caused by too hot water for them. 19659003] The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom and the University of Palermo in Italy
. 2 gradients created by volcanic seeps, recording how fauna and flora react to the acidification of seawater.
They found that while some plant species benefited from changing conditions, they tended to be smaller. that cover the seabed, choke the corals and lower global marine diversity.
These species, and some smaller marine animals, thrive because they are more tolerant of the stress caused by increasing levels of CO 2 . 19659003] Jason Hall-Spencer, professor of marine biology at the University of Plymouth, said, "Our research site is like a time machine. In areas with pre-industrial CO levels 2 the coast has an impressive amount of calcified organisms such as corals and oysters. But in areas where current average surface seawater levels are as follows 2 we found much less corals and other forms of calcified life, and therefore less biodiversity. It shows the tremendous damage done by humans due to CO emissions over the last 300 years and, unless we can control the reduction of CO emissions, we will undoubtedly witness a major degradation of the coastline.
Professor Kazuo Inaba, former director of the Shimoda Marine Research Center, added, "Local fishermen are eager to know how ocean acidification will affect their livelihoods. The currents passing in front of Japan bring waters that have naturally low levels of CO 2 and the fish benefit from the range of calcified habitats around our islands. If we are able to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit emissions, we should be able to limit damage to kelp forests, coral reefs and all marine ecosystems. "
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