Deadly Ocean Acidification Will Continue Independent Of Climate Shifts - UI Champaign Study - AFP

[hatrack]

Like a piece of chalk dissolving in vinegar, marine life with hard shells is in danger of being dissolved by increasing acidity in the oceans. Ocean acidity is rising as sea water absorbs more carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from power plants and automobiles. The higher acidity threatens marine life, including corals and shellfish, which may become extinct later this century from the chemical effects of carbon dioxide, even if the planet warms less than expected.

A new study by University of Illinois atmospheric scientist Atul Jain, graduate student Long Cao and Carnegie Institution scientist Ken Caldeira suggests that future changes in ocean acidification are largely independent of climate change. The researchers report their findings in a paper accepted for publication in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, and posted on its Web site. "Before our study, there was speculation in the academic community that climate change would have a big impact on ocean acidity," Jain said. "We found no such impact."

In previous studies, increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere led to a reduction in ocean pH and carbonate ions, both of which damage marine ecosystems. What had not been studied before was how climate change, in concert with higher concentrations of carbon dioxide, would affect ocean chemistry and biology.

To investigate changes in ocean chemistry that could result from higher temperatures and carbon-dioxide concentrations, the researchers used an Earth-system model called the Integrated Science Assessment Model. Developed by Jain and his graduate students, the model includes complex physical and chemical interactions among carbon-dioxide emissions, climate change, and carbon-dioxide uptake by oceans and terrestrial ecosystems. The ocean-surface pH has been reduced by about 0.1 during the past two centuries. Using ISAM, the researchers found ocean pH would decline a total of 0.31 by the end of this century, if carbon-dioxide emissions continue on a trajectory to ultimately stabilize at 1,000 parts per million.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Regardless_Of_Global_Warming_Rising_Co2_Levels_Threaten_Marine_Life_999.html

[phantom power]

1. So, the actual *warming* will not decrease pH...

but continued increases of CO2 partial-pressure will continue to drive pH downward. Did I read it right?

[hatrack]

3. I think that's the gist

Of course, increasing air temperatures just may serve to (call me crazy but I THINK it might be possible) further warm ocean waters, which will make them even less supportive of marine life, even aside from falling pH.

But I wouldn't want to be viewed as "alarmist" or anything like that, y'know?

[seasat]

2. The feed backs in this are dangerous.

First as the CO2 levels in the oceans increase, calcification will slow as the maximum depth at which it occurs gradually decreases. This will in turn increase the absorption of CO2 into the ocean which will accelerate the decline in calcification. As the Ph decreases, primary production will decrease since phytoplankton grow in limited ranges. Other marine life will stressed by the more acidic waters, will succumb to disease and die off. The result will be lower sequestering of carbon in the deep ocean through biological transport. This will then aid in the acceleration of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere accelerating climate change.

[Dead_Parrot]

4. Oh, we're all doomed. Fucking hell.

:shrug: Just fancied a variation.