Ocean Acidification Deepens Threat to Marine Life

Recent research from ETH Zurich highlights the alarming spread of ocean acidification into deeper waters, a significant consequence of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, Earth.com revealed yesterday.

According to the source, environmental physicists Jens Müller and Nicolas Grube developed a 3D ocean model to track acidification’s progression since the industrial revolution.

Their findings reveal that by 2014, ocean acidification impacted depths averaging around 1,000 meters, with some regions reaching up to 1,500 meters. This phenomenon poses a severe threat to marine organisms, particularly vulnerable species like pteropods, whose calcium-based shells are at risk.

The study underscores the urgent need for reducing carbon emissions to mitigate acidification’s effects. As CO2 levels continue to rise, the long-term implications for marine biodiversity and human communities reliant on ocean resources remain uncertain. The research, published in Science Advances, calls for collaborative efforts and further studies to protect marine ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future.