Ocean Acidification

Basic oceanic chemistry predicts that increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will coincide with increasing levels of carbonic acid in the oceans. (insert more detailed description here with formulas).

Recent research suggests that corals will not be able to "acclimate or adapt to maintain sufﬁcient rates of calciﬁcation to sustain the reef structure." ^[1]

References

↑ Elizabeth D. Crook, Anne L. Cohen, Mario Rebolledo-Vieyra, Laura Hernandez, and Adina Paytan. Reduced calcification and lack of acclimatization by coral colonies growing in areas of persistent natural acidification. PNAS 2013 : 1301589110v1-201301589.

[1] Elizabeth D. Crook, Anne L. Cohen, Mario Rebolledo-Vieyra, Laura Hernandez, and Adina Paytan. Reduced calcification and lack of acclimatization by coral colonies growing in areas of persistent natural acidification. PNAS 2013 : 1301589110v1-201301589.

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