Lovers of calcium carbonate exoskeletons,

There was an AP article about the acidification of marine waters off the West coast of North America recently. It's based on a review study that utilizes existing studies. I can forward the article if people contact me off-list.

Here's an excerpt:

"Ocean acidification may be seriously impacting marine life on our
continental shelf right now," study co-author Richard Feely said in a
statement released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, which co-sponsored the study along with NASA and the
National Science Foundation.

Feely, a NOAA oceanographer, noted that while the ability of oceans to
absorb carbon dioxide helps mitigate warming, "the change in the ocean
chemistry affects marine life, particularly organisms with calcium
carbonate shells, such as corals, mussels, mollusks, and small
creatures in the early stages of the food chain."

NOAA echoed the experts' findings. "Acidification of the Earth's ocean
water could have far-reaching impacts on the health of our near-shore
environment, and on the sustainability of ecosystems that support
human populations," said NOAA assistant administrator Richard Spinrad.

David Kirsh
Durham, NC

"It makes you feel good to know that there are other people who are afflicted like you." --Harvey Pekar

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