Impacts of Ocean Acidification

Impacts of Ocean Acidification

Impacts of Ocean Acidification 1. Coral Reef Degradation Reduced calcification: Coral struggle to build their calcium carbonate skeletons. Weakened structures: Existing reefs become more brittle and prone to erosion. Loss of habitat: Affects reef-dependent species. 2. Shellfish and Plankton Vulnerability Shell thinning: Organisms like mussels, oysters, and pteropods (sea butterflies) form weaker shells. Disrupted food chains: Plankton are vital to marine food webs; their decline affects higher trophic levels. Part 3: Deep Dive into Ocean Acidification