Have you heard or read anything about ocean acidification, and how it affects not only the environment but also the seafood we consume? Let’s look at what ocean acidification means. Ocean acidification is the process by which the ocean becomes more acidic as it absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. An acidic ocean is harmful to marine life and disturbs the food chain.
Understanding Ocean Chemistry
Understanding pH and how it works can help explain why more human activity harms the ocean. Ocean pH is essentially a measure of how acidic or alkaline the water is, with a range of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, indicating that it is neither acidic nor alkaline. Anything below 7 is acidic, whereas anything above 7 is alkaline.
Now, oceans naturally absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) through a process known as carbon sequestration. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it interacts with water molecules to produce carbonic acid (H2CO3) through the following chemical reaction:
CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3
This reaction helps to manage Earth’s climate by eliminating excess CO2 from the atmosphere. However, as human activity increases, such as the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, more CO2 is released into the atmosphere, resulting in increased amounts of carbonic acid in seawater. This causes ocean acidification, which can have a negative impact on marine life and ecosystems.
Consequences of Ocean Acidification
Vulnerability of shellfish, corals, and developing animals: Ocean acidification lowers carbonate ions, making it more difficult for these species to build and sustain their shells and skeletons, leaving them exposed to damage and predators.
Disruption of marine ecosystems and food webs: For example, if shellfish populations drop as a result of ocean acidification, so will the populations of their predators, such as crabs and certain fish species that rely on them for sustenance. Similarly, if coral reefs deteriorate due to corals’ inability to develop skeletons, the abundance of fish species that rely on reefs for shelter and breeding sites may suffer.
Decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services: Ocean acidification can have an impact on creatures such as shellfish and corals, causing a decrease in their numbers or health. This reduction in biodiversity, or species diversity, can have a profound impact on how marine ecosystems function as a whole.
For example, fewer shellfish may result in less water filtering, affecting water quality and the number of other marine creatures. Furthermore, when there is less variety of life in the ocean, it impacts things that are vital to humans and the environment, such as fisheries, coastal protection from storms and erosion, and carbon storage, which aids in climate change mitigation.
Impact on Seafood
Some people who have been aware of ocean acidification for a long time are concerned that this harmful process would alter the taste and nutritional value of seafood. According to research, “an acidic ocean will make shrimps have a sour flavor”. As previously said, if the animals from which we obtain seafood become fewer in number or relocate, it may have an impact on the availability of specific seafood and how these new seafood are safe to consume.
Summary
Ocean acidification is the process by which the ocean becomes more acidic as it absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. An acidic ocean is harmful to marine life and disturbs the food chain. Ocean acidification lowers carbonate ions, making it more difficult for these species to build and sustain their shells and skeletons, leaving them exposed to damage and predators.
Furthermore, when there is less variety of life in the ocean, it impacts things that are vital to humans and the environment, such as fisheries, coastal protection from storms and erosion, and carbon storage, which aids in climate change mitigation.
According to research, it may not have a direct impact on taste, but it may have an indirect impact on certain aspects of ocean life.
