Image: NOAA Ocean Explorer, Flickr
The Evil Twin of Global Warming
Ocean acidification naturally results from elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere. The oceans absorb CO2, which becomes carbonic acid as it dissolves into the sea water. Ocean acidification picked up the moniker "Evil Twin of Global Warming" at the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). Recent research has suggested just how significantly the ocean chemistry affects life on earth. Now scientists are setting up to learn more about how our oceans are reacting to the 30% increase in pH (the measure of acidity) that has already occurred, and what might happen if the trends continue. If you were hoping the oceans could balance our act, you may be in for a grim acid oceans reality check.
Article continues: United Kingdom Launches Projects to Study Ocean Acidification
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