Ocean Acidification Rate May Be Unprecedented, Study Says

March 1, 2012 - The world’s oceans may be turning acidic faster today from human carbon emissions than they did during four major extinctions in the last 300 million years, when natural pulses of carbon sent global temperatures soaring, says a new study in Science. The study is the first of its kind to survey the geologic record for evidence of ocean acidification over this vast time period.
“What we’re doing today really stands out,” said lead author Bärbel Hönisch, a paleoceanographer at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. “We know that life during past ocean acidification events was not wiped out—new species evolved to replace those that died off. But if industrial carbon emissions continue at the current pace, we may lose organisms we care about—coral reefs, oysters, salmon.”
> www.ldeo.columbia.edu: Ocean Acidification Rate May Be Unprecedented, Study Says

Temperatures--Not Acid--Could Cook Coral to Death
(Scientific American) February 2 2012 - A warming ocean is encouraging the growth of coral in the far Southern Hemisphere, overriding any effects of "acidification".
> www.scientificamerican.com: Temperatures--Not Acid--Could Cook Coral to Death

Coral reefs 'will be gone by end of the century'

Photo: independent/reuters.com

Sydney, September 10 2011 - Coral reefs are on course to become the first ecosystem that human activity will eliminate entirely from the Earth, a leading United Nations scientist claims. He says this event will occur before the end of the present century, which means that there are children already born who will live to see a world without coral.
> www.independent.co.uk: Coral reefs 'will be gone by end of the century'
> thinkprogress.org: Coral Reefs “Will be Gone by the End of the Century,” Thanks to Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

Scientists To Track Acidification In Arctic Ocean
Anchorage, August 12 2011 - Scientists from the Geological Survey will embark next week on an expedition to monitor acidification trends in the Arctic Ocean linked to carbon emissions, the agency said.
The USGS scientists will spend seven weeks on a Coast Guard icebreaker, getting as close to the North Pole as possible to take water samples and test for chemical indicators of acidification, officials said.
> www.planetark.com: Scientists To Track Acidification In Arctic Ocean

Warmer oceans release CO2 faster than thought
Hobart, April 25, 2011 - As the world's oceans warm, their massive stores of dissolved carbon dioxide may be quick to bubble back out into the atmosphere and amplify the greenhouse effect, according to a new study.
The oceans capture around 30 per cent of human carbon dioxide emissions and hide it in their depths. This slows the march of global warming somewhat. But climate records from the end of the last ice age show that as temperatures climb, the trend reverses and the oceans emit CO2, which exacerbates warming.
Previous studies have suggested that it takes between 400 and 1300 years for this to happen. But now the most precise analysis to date has whittled that figure down.
> www.newscientist.com: Warmer oceans release CO2 faster than thought

Thailand closes dive sites to halt damage to reefs

Bangkok, January 20 2011 - Thailand is closing dozens of dive sites to tourists after unusually warm seas caused severe damage to coral reefs in the Andaman Sea, one of the world's top diving and beach resort regions, authorities said on Thursday.
> www.reuters.com: Thailand closes dive sites to halt damage to reefs

Growing seaweed can solve acidification
Wageningen, December 23, 2010 - Large-scale cultivation of sea lettuce can help reduce acidification of the oceans. And help solve the global food supply problem to boot.
> www.physorg.com: Growing seaweed can solve acidification

Scientists say Asia's corals dying en masse

Aceh Besar, October 19 2010- Coral reefs in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean are dying from the worst bleaching effect in more than a decade, Australian marine scientists said Tuesday.
The bleaching, triggered by a large pool of warm water which swept into the Indian Ocean in May, has caused corals from Indonesia to the Seychelles to whiten and die, Australia's Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies said.
Reefs in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore were also affected by the phenomenon under which sea temperatures rose by several degrees Celsius in Indonesia, researcher Andrew Baird said.
"It is certainly the worst coral die-off we have seen since 1998. It may prove to be the worst such event known to science," he said.
> www.physorg.com: Scientists say Asia's corals dying en masse
> researchnews.osu.edu: Coral records show ocean thermocline rise with global warming

Limiting ocean acidification under global change

August 20, 2010 - Emissions of carbon dioxide are causing ocean acidification as well as global warming. Scientists have previously used computer simulations to quantify how curbing of carbon dioxide emissions would mitigate climate impacts. New computer simulations have now examined the likely effects of mitigation scenarios on ocean acidification trends. They show that both the peak year of emissions and post-peak reduction rates influence how much ocean acidity increases by 2100. Changes in ocean pH over subsequent centuries will depend on how much the rate of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced in the longer term.
> noc.ac.uk: Limiting ocean acidification under global change

Multiple ocean stresses threaten “globally significant” marine extinction

Amsterdam, 20 June 2011 - An international panel of experts warns in a report released today that marine species are at risk of entering a phase of extinction unprecedented in human history.
> www.iucn.org: Multiple ocean stresses threaten “globally significant” marine extinction (Jun 20 2011)

Ocean Stored Significant Warming Over Last 16 Years: Research

London, May 21 2010 - The upper layer of the world’s ocean has warmed since 1993, indicating a strong climate change signal, according to a new study.
“We are seeing the global ocean store more heat than it gives off,” said John Lyman, an oceanographer at NOAA’s Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, who led an international team of scientists that analyzed nine different estimates of heat content in the upper ocean from 1993 to 2008.
> www.physorg.com: Ocean Stored Significant Warming Over Last 16 Years
> www.nature.com: Robust warming of the global upper ocean

Marine biodiversity: life in seas under threat
Copenhagen, March 17, 2010 - Climate change, pollution, acidification, over-exploitation of fish stocks, invasive alien species all threaten life in our seas and consequently the services we obtain from them. The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) new short assessment of marine biodiversity takes a closer look at the ‘less known half’ of EU territory.
> www.eea.europa.eu / Marine biodiversity: life in seas under threat

An Ominous Warning on the Effects of Ocean Acidification

New Haven, (USA), February 15 2010 - A new study says the seas are acidifying ten times faster today than 55 million years ago when a mass extinction of marine species occurred. And, the study concludes, current changes in ocean chemistry due to the burning of fossil fuels may portend a new wave of die-offs.
> e360.yale.edu: An Ominous Warning on the Effects of Ocean Acidification
> planetearth.nerc.ac.uk: Ocean acidification is speeding up

Oceans Reveal Further Impacts of Climate Change, Says UAB Expert
Birmingham, Ala / USA, February 3 2010 - The increasing acidity of the world's oceans - and that acidity's growing threat to marine species - are definitive proof that the atmospheric carbon dioxide that is causing climate change is also negatively affecting the marine environment, says world-renowned Antarctic marine biologist Jim McClintock, Ph.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
> main.uab.edu: Oceans Reveal Further Impacts of Climate Change, Says UAB Expert

'Acidifying oceans' threaten food supply, UK warns

Copenhagen, December 14 2009 - Acidification of the oceans is a major threat to marine life and humanity's food supply, Hilary Benn is to warn as the UN climate summit resumes.
The UK environment secretary will say that acidification provides a "powerful incentive" to cut carbon emissions.
> news.bbc.co.uk: 'Acidifying oceans' threaten food supply, UK warns
> www.giss.nasa.gov: Can Ocean Carbon Uptake Keep Pace with Industrial Emissions?

Arctic seas turn to acid, putting vital food chain at risk

New York, 4 October 2009 - With the world's oceans absorbing six million tonnes of carbon a day, a leading oceanographer warns of eco disaster.
> www.guardian.co.uk: Arctic seas turn to acid, putting vital food chain at risk
> www.telegraph.co.uk: Arctic Ocean acid 'will dissolve shells of sea creatures within 10 years'

Expert Panel on Ocean Acidification Bulletin
New York, 3 September 2009 - The Expert Panel on Ocean Acidification took place at UN Headquarters in New York on 3 September 2009. The event was organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, and the UN Foundation.
The aim of the meeting was to increase awareness and highlight options to avoid adverse impacts of ocean acidification on marine life and ecosystems by bringing together key stakeholders working on oceans and seas, climate change and sustainable development.
Dessima Williams, Permanent Representative of Grenada to the UN and current chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), stressed that oceans are critical to sustaining life, but that human activity is violently and rapidly destroying the health of ocean ecosystems. She urged restricting temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degree C and reducing atmospheric concentrations to 350 ppm. She also called on developed countries to commit to 40% reductions in emissions by 2020 and 85% by 2050. Finally, she urged all people to cut their individual carbon footprint.
> www.iisd.ca: Expert Panel on Ocean Acidification Bulletin

Acid In The Oceans: A Growing Threat To Sea Life
August 12, 2009 When we burn fossil fuels, we are not just putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A lot of it goes into the sea. There, carbon dioxide turns into carbonic acid. And that turns ocean water corrosive, particularly to shellfish and corals.
> www.npr.org: Acid In The Oceans: A Growing Threat To Sea Life
> www.physorg.com: New findings show increased ocean acidification in Alaska waters

Great Barrier Reef will be gone in 20 years, says Charlie Veron

London, 7 July 2009 - The Great Barrier Reef will be so degraded by warming waters that it will be unrecognisable within 20 years, an eminent marine scientist has said.
Charlie Veron, former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, told The Times: “There is no way out, no loopholes. The Great Barrier Reef will be over within 20 years or so.”
www.timesonline.co.uk: Great Barrier Reef will be gone in 20 years, says Charlie Veron

'Coral lab' offers acidity insight
Copenhagen, March 11 2009 - Carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are acidifying the oceans and threaten a mass extinction of sea life, a top ocean scientist warns.
news.bbc.co.uk: 'Coral lab' offers acidity insight

Carbon emissions creating acidic oceans not seen since dinosaurs
Copenhagen, March 10 2009 - Chemical change placing 'unprecedented' pressure on marine life and could cause widespread extinctions, warn scientists.
Human pollution is turning the seas into acid so quickly that the coming decades will recreate conditions not seen on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs, scientists will warn today.
The rapid acidification is caused by the massive amounts of carbon dioxide belched from chimneys and exhausts that dissolve in the ocean. The chemical change is placing "unprecedented" pressure on marine life such as shellfish and lobsters and could cause widespread extinctions, the experts say.
www.guardian.co.uk: Carbon emissions creating acidic oceans not seen since dinosaurs
www.ipsnews.net: Acid Oceans Altering Marine Life
www.sciam.com: Proof on the Half Shell / A More Acidic Ocean Corrodes Sea Life
Copenhagen 2009

Coral reefs: Vital to the oceans, vital to humans

New York, February 12, 2009 - Coral reefs are dying off at record rates, thanks to pollution, disease and global warming. Scientists worldwide are trying to come up with new ideas to conserve and protect not just the coral reefs, but also the biodiversity and human economies that depend upon them for their survival.
www.sciam.com: Coral reefs: Vital to the oceans, vital to humans

Rising Acidity Threatens Oceans
New York, January 30, 2009 - The oceans have long buffered the effects of climate change by absorbing a substantial portion of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. But this benefit has a catch: as the gas dissolves, it makes seawater more acidic. Now an international panel of marine scientists says this acidity is accelerating so fast it threatens the survival of coral reefs, shellfish and the marine food web generally.
www.enn.com: Rising Acidity Threatens Oceans
news.bbc.co.uk: Acid oceans 'need urgent action'

Coral growth slows sharply on Great Barrier Reef

London, January 2 2009 — Coral growth since 1990 in Australia's Great Barrier Reef has fallen to its lowest rate for 400 years, in a troubling sign for the world's oceans, researchers said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com: Coral growth slows sharply on Great Barrier Reef
news.bbc.co.uk: Coral reef growth is slowest ever
thefutureofextinction.wordpress.com: Death and Destruction of the Coral Reefs
www.sciam.com: Ocean Acidification Hits Great Barrier Reef

Southern Ocean Changing But Still Major CO2 Sink
Singapore, November 25, 2008 - The Southern Ocean has proved more resilient to global warming than previously thought and remains a major store of mankind's planet-warming carbon dioxide, a study has found.
www.planetark.com: Southern Ocean Changing But Still Major CO2 Sink

Ocean turning to acid at lightning speed
Chicago, November 24, 2008 - Increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is making the Pacific coast acidic far more rapidly than previously believed, potentially wreaking havoc for creatures living in it that are unable to tolerate the swiftly changing environment.
www.planetark.com: Ocean turning to acid at lightning speed
www.independent.co.uk: Acidic seas threaten coral and mussels

Rising CO2 Accelerates Coral Bleaching - Study
Sydney (Aus), October 29, 2008 - Rising carbon dioxide levels in the world's oceans due to climate change, combined with rising sea temperatures, could accelerate coral bleaching, destroying some reefs before 2050, says a new Australian study.
www.planetark.com: Rising CO2 Accelerates Coral Bleaching - Study

Rising Acidity in the Ocean: The Other CO2 Problem
October 6 2008 - Emissions of CO2 are making the oceans more acidic, threatening sea life.
www.sciam.com: Rising Acidity in the Ocean: The Other CO2 Problem

Pollution slowly killing world's coral reefs
Cancun, September 29 2008 - Dainty blue fish dart around coral shaped like moose antlers near the Mexican resort of Cancun, but sickly brown spots are appearing where pollution threatens one of the world's largest reefs.
www.reuters.com: Pollution slowly killing world's coral reefs

Ocean "dead zones" spread, fish more at risk: study
Oslo, September 29 2008 - The number of polluted "dead zones" in the world's oceans is rising fast and coastal fish stocks are more vulnerable to collapse than previously feared, scientists said on Monday.
www.reuters.com: Ocean "dead zones" spread, fish more at risk

Modest CO2 cutbacks may be too little, too late for coral reefs
New York, 22 September 2008 - How much carbon dioxide is too much? According to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) greenhouse gases in the atmosphere need to be stabilized at levels low enough to "prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." But scientists have come to realize that an even more acute danger than climate change is lurking in the world's oceans—one that is likely to be triggered by CO2 levels that are modest by climate standards.
www.physorg.com: Modest CO2 cutbacks may be too little, too late for coral reefs

Cut Greenhouse Gases to Save Coral Reefs
Washington, August 28, 2008 - To keep coral reefs from being eaten away by increasingly acidic oceans, humans need to limit the amount of climate-warming greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, a panel of marine scientists said on Wednesday.
www.planetark.com: Cut Greenhouse Gases to Save Coral Reefs

Oceanic Acidification - The Scenario In 100 Years' Time
July 31, 2008 - A new study by scientists into the future effects of acidic sea water shows that the reduced pH value of the oceans’ surface waters will have drastic results in around 100 years’ time. The scientists, from Sweden and Australia, carried out the world’s first research into how a lowered pH of the sea’s surface water affects marine animal life.
www.enn.com: Trade Oceanic Acidification - The Scenario In 100 Years' Time

Acidifying oceans add urgency to CO2 cuts
New York (USA), 3 July 2008 - It's not just about climate change anymore. Besides loading the atmosphere with heat-trapping greenhouse gases, human emissions of carbon dioxide have also begun to alter the chemistry of the ocean—often called the cradle of life on Earth. The ecological and economic consequences are difficult to predict but possibly calamitous, warn a team of chemical oceanographers in the July 4 issue of Science, and halting the changes already underway will likely require even steeper cuts in carbon emissions than those currently proposed to curb climate change.
www.physorg.com: Acidifying oceans add urgency to CO2 cuts

Oceans absorbing less CO2 may have 1,500 year impact
Vienna, April 16 2008 - Global oceans are soaking up less carbon dioxide, a development that could speed up the greenhouse effect and have an impact for the next 1,500 years.
www.reuters.com: Oceans absorbing less CO2 may have 1,500 year impact

Warming Trends Rise In Large Ocean Areas – Study
Hanoi, April 10, 2008 - Warming trends in a third of the world's large ocean regions are two to four times greater than previously reported averages, increasing the risk to marine life and fisheries, a UN-backed environmental study said.
www.planetark.com: Warming Trends Rise In Large Ocean Areas