Man-made pollution is acidifying the world’s oceans at unprecedented rates and is threatening sea life, an international team of researchers reports Monday.
By Dwayne Meadows, NOAA
Scientists have found that human-caused carbon dioxide emissions, from the burning of fossil fuels in the last 100 to 200 years, have already raised ocean acidity far beyond the range of natural variations. Based on computer modeling and observations, they say these emissions, which increase water acidity by reacting with saltwater, may significantly reduce the calcification rate of marine organisms such as corals and mollusks. Read the full article at http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2012/01/greenhouse-gases-make-oceans-more-acidic-threaten-coral/1