Climate change is making the Arctic Ocean more acidic as it absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, lowering the water’s pH level, says a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
“The new research focuses on the water concentrations of a mineral called aragonite, which is a form of calcium carbonate, a chemical compound that plankton, shellfish and even deep-sea corals use to build their hard outer shells. When ocean water becomes more acidic, chemical reactions occur that impede the formation of calcium carbonate and lower its concentration in the water, which can be a major threat for these marine animals,” explains Alaska Dispatch News.
So far, the added acidity in the arctic isn’t yet at a point harmful to marine organisms, say researchers, but tests have shown that the acidity problem is spreading farther north and deeper into the water table. One reason that the Arctic is seeing a lowered pH could be that cold water more easily absorbs carbon dioxide. As the ice sheets continue to melt, they flood the ocean with bursts of chilly water that quickly take up CO2.