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Acid Ocean Will Dissolve Sea Creatures' Shells

Researchers uncover another devastating impact of global warming

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 5, 2009 2:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – Waters around the North Pole are absorbing so much carbon dioxide that acid in the ocean will soon begin dissolving sea creatures' shells, scientists warn. By 2018 10% of the Arctic Ocean will be corrosive, spelling potential disaster for the food chain as crustaceans begin to die off, reports the Telegraph. "We knew the seas were getting more acidic and this would disrupt shellfish ability to grow shells. Now we realize the situation is much worse," said lead scientist Prof. Jean-Pierre Gattuso.

The world's seas are turning acidic as carbon dioxide from pollution is converted to carbonic acid in the water. The situation is more dire in polar regions because the gas is more soluble in cold water. "Over the whole planet, there will be a threefold increase in the average acidity of the oceans, which is unprecedented during the past 20 million years," said Gattuso.

Is the end near for crusty sea creatures? (©smallislander)

Global warming spells disaster for seashells. (©jeezychreezy)

Scientists say a corrosive Arctic Ocean will begin destroying crustaceans' shells in ten years. (©haemengine)

A Nautilus faces uncertain times as global warming changes the acid level of the ocean. (AP Photo/ Wong Maye-E)

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Acid Ocean Will Dissolve Sea Creatures' Shells

Researchers uncover another devastating impact of global warming

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We're losing a major sponge of carbon dioxide: New York Times

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Acid Ocean Will Dissolve Sea Creatures' Shells

Researchers uncover another devastating impact of global warming

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carbon dioxide • global warming • ocean • North Pole • sea • Arctic Ocean • crustacean • sea creatures

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Giant Crustacean Found in Ocean Trench

It was like 'finding a foot-long cockroach,' researcher says

Study: 14 Practical Steps Can Slow Climate Change

Try ditching wood cook stoves in developing world

Global Carbon Emissions in Biggest Jump Ever

Rising greenhouse gasses will worsen climate change, say scientists

Dying Forests May Mean Hotter World

We're losing a major sponge of carbon dioxide: New York Times

How to Save the Oceans: Eat Sardines

Overfishing has led to wildly unbalanced ecosystem

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