Conch-Lers,
I've heard of and read about this theory of ocean acidification before.
However, before we get too concerned about any potential problems of
ocean acidification as a result of carbonic acid (a weak acid) formation
due to the dissolution of CO2 in seawater, consider that volcanoes all
around the earth spew out huge amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2) every day
that produce sulfuric acid, yet has anyone panicked about the effects of
local acidification of the ocean due to volcanoes by a stronger source
of pH reduction than CO2? Incidentally, volcanoes pump out huge amounts
of CO2 into the atmosphere. Again, has anyone shown concern over this
as a source of ocean acidification?
I personally have heard very little about the effects of volcanoes on pH
in the ocean environment. Why? Just a guess, but volcanoes aren't
anthropogenic sources of CO2, so the doomsayers in the environmental
movement, many of whom profit financially or make names for themselves
by predicting the worst, can't use volcanic sources to forward their
agenda.
Perhaps volcanic sources do have some effect on corals, mollusks, and
other calcium carbonate wielding life forms in areas near volcanoes, but
I'll bet that you'll find that near most oceanic volcanoes you'll still
find thriving communities of these critters. Think in terms of the
Philippines, Indonesia, and other tropical paradises along the "Ring of
Fire." I myself live in Hawaii where we have the most active volcano in
the world and where high sulfur (and CO2) content lava flows into the
ocean off the southern end of the big island 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week for every day of the year and yet the corals continue to thrive in
the surrounding waters and some of our seashells are among the largest
of their kind on the planet.
CO2 does acidify water and in fact that's how a lot of plant roots are
able to bore into rocky substrate - by using CO2 to form carbonic acid
to dissolve through limestone. However, the effects are very focused
and we're talking dead limestone without the ability to adapt and
regenerate itself.
When reading any article, take in what the article has to say, but make
sure to step back and keep an open mind to alternative positions. For
every point that is made by one scientist there is likely a
counterpoint.
Thanks for letting me pitch in my two cents. Now to go take a swig of
acidic O.J. before heading to bed.
Aloha,
Dave Lum
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
David Kirsh
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 6:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] our dissolving hobby, our dissolving food chain?
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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