This is of definite concern to anyone who collects or studies
shell-bearing molluscs!! A recent study outlined below, found that the
world's oceans are becoming more acidic at a rate about 10 times faster
than most climate models are predicting. This is NOT good news....
http://www.world-science.net/othernews/081126_acid
Oceans acidifying much faster than was thought: study
Nov. 26, 2008
Courtesy University of Chicago
and World Science staff
The oceans are becoming more acidic, and much faster than previously
thought, scientists say. The process, a possible threat to some
ocean life, seems to be linked with rising levels of atmospheric
gases that are blamed for global warming, according to the
researchers.
Oceanside rocks covered with mussels are one habitat that may be
threatened by increasing ocean acidity, researchers say.
(Credit: J.T. Wootton, U. Chicago).
University of Chicago scientists detailed the new findings in a
paper published online by the research journal Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences Nov. 24. The study is based on 24,519
measurements of ocean acidity spanning eight years.
During that time, “the acidity increased more than 10 times faster”
than climate change models and other studies had predicted, said
the university’s J. Timothy Wootton, lead author of the study.
“This increase will have a severe impact on marine food webs.”
Wootton and colleagues said the process seems to be occuring in
step with increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is a key “greenhouse gas,” a compound that
researchers say acts as a large-scale blanket in the atmosphere,
trapping heat on Earth and thus driving global warming.
When the carbon dioxide dissolves in water it forms carbonic
acid. Abnormally acidic water harms certain sea animals, the
authors said. “Many sea creatures have shells or skeletons made of
calcium carbonate, which the acid can dissolve,” said the
university’s Catherine Pfister, a co-author of the study.
They added that the acidity could reduce the ocean’s ability to soak
up more carbon dioxide, a process which some have hoped would
mitigate climate change.
-Ross mayhew.
http://www.schnr-specimen-shells.com/
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