The invisible threat: the increasing acidification of the oceans and its consequences

The invisible threat: the increasing acidification of the oceans and its consequences

times for the deep sea - unknown episodes of the ocean acidification

The discussion about the acidification of the oceans is in full swing, but the actual effects are difficult to reach. The increasing concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide can not only dissolve shells of sea creatures, but also cause the corrosion of fish scales. Even sharks are affected. In addition, planktonic organisms with lime shells such as coccolithophorids and floating snails suffer from the devastating effects. The Alfred Wegener Institute even describes the ocean acidification as the evil twin brother of ocean heating, which results from human CO2 emissions.

An even less noticeable aspect is the increasing acidification in the deep sea. In the extreme depths of the oceans, below 4000 meters, an acid zone spreads. High pressures, low temperatures and high CO2 concentrations create a hostile milieu there. Calcium carbonate no longer dissolves in these depths, which means that lime -scale sediments and structures are destroyed. This has far -reaching consequences for the marine ecosystem in the deep sea.

Prof. Mark John Costello and Prof. Peter Townsend Harris published the knowledge of the so-called carbonate compensation depth and its effects in 2023 together with other scientists. Since industrialization, this depth has increased by an average of 98 meters, which corresponds to an increase in the sea floor of 3.6% in the past 200 years. The CCD shifted differently in different sea areas, whereby the western-equatorial Atlantic is most affected. This change endangers numerous marine habitats and species, since lime structures can be chemically unstable and can be destroyed.

Particularly worrying is the determination of an international working group of deep -sea experts that the CCD also represents a biological limit that limits the habitat for different sea creatures. The research of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in northeastern Pacific has shown that there are different habitats above and below the CCD that are strongly influenced by the geological conditions. These findings illustrate the urgency of the protection of these sensitive ecosystems.

The CCZ is increasingly affected by deep -sea mountain construction activities, since the rich occurrence of polymetal tubers represent an attractive destination. These valuable resources not only attract different ways of life, but also pose the risk of comprehensive destruction of the deep sea environment. In view of the slow growth and the sensitive nature of the deep sea animals, a resettlement of the destroyed areas could take millennia if it is possible.

The progressive acidification of the oceans represents a serious threat to marine biodiversity. The loss of vital resources and the change in habitats are affected. Oceanic and island states in particular are affected by the effects, with Bermuda being particularly at risk. The decline in marine productivity and the changes in the food network have far -reaching consequences for fishing and nutritional certainty of many countries.

It is crucial that the public is informed about the increasing dangers of ocean acidification. The current knowledge of Prof. Costello and Prof. Harris illustrate the urgency of measures to protect the oceans. It is time for governments and international organizations to act together in order to contain the negative effects on the sea environment and to combat it in the long term.

- Nag