What are Carbon emissions? Carbon emissions are the release of greenhouse gasses identified as particles or gasses, into water, soil, or/and air. They accumulate into our atmosphere through both natural processes such as volcanic eruptions or wildfires and human activities from the burning of fossil fuels to riding a bike.
Although there are two sources of carbon emissions, since the industrial revolution, human activity has been identified as being the major contributor to the release of a primary greenhouse gas known as carbon dioxide into our atmosphere – contributing to the 50% increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) content in under 200 years. The impacts of carbon emission are vast, stretching from the warming of the earth, extreme weather patterns, increased economic inequality, to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and a global rise in climate related health issues.
Ocean acidification, a corrosive impact of our Emissions
“Ocean acidification” refers to the broad chemical changes occurring in the ocean as it absorbs increasing amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Our carbon emissions are infiltrating the very fabric of marine ecosystems. Approximately 30% of atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean—our largest natural carbon sink. While excess atmospheric carbon warms the planet and can even stimulate vegetation growth on land, it has a different effect on the ocean, acting as the main driver in increasing the oceans acidity.
Over the past four decades, this excess CO₂ has steadily lowered the ocean’s pH. Although the rate at which the oceans pH is changing is impacted by regional difference, ocean acidification is leading to the acidification of our oceans and altering the delicate balance of marine life.
Ocean acidification is known for two major impacts on aquatic organisms. First, it reduces the availability of carbonate ions, which are vital for marine animals to build strong, protective shells. This lack of carbonate ions results in fragile, hollow shells for species such as mollusks, certain plankton, and coral reefs, making them more vulnerable to environmental stressors.
Second, over time, ocean acidification will diminish the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. As the acidity of the ocean increases, it dissolves more calcium carbonate—a substance found in rocks and minerals—further reducing its ability to capture CO₂. This creates a feedback loop that accelerates the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. The loss of the ocean’s ability to sequester carbon could have far-reaching consequences, not just for marine biodiversity, but also for the climate regulation that these ecosystems provide.
As our oceans get warmer from the global climb in temperatures, we will also continue observing a reduction in the number of species of phytoplankton that live in our oceans. Phytoplankton is the bedrock of aquatic life, forming the foundation of aquatic food webs as primary producers of essential nutrients for a wide range of ocean dwellers. Although increased concentrations of CO₂ will stimulate the population growth of a few species of phytoplankton, the reduction of most species of phytoplankton will not only threaten marine food systems but also reduce the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon from our atmosphere.
Carbon driven evolution of the sea
What’s even more interesting is how ocean acidification affects the very DNA of marine life. While this is still a relatively new field of study, research into the genetic impact of acidification has revealed significant changes in gene expression, particularly in the brain tissue of fish. Studies have shown that the extent of these changes corresponds directly to the pH levels of their environment. In habitats with extreme pH levels, researchers observed negative gene expressions, including cognitive and sensory impairments in marine fish. This suggests that acidification could interfere with critical neurological functions in these species. The species observed in these studies included tropical damselfish, coho salmon, spiny damselfish, and E.jacksoni, each showing signs of disruption in brain function due to changes in their acidic surroundings.
Nature has always had an incredible ability to adapt to the changes our planet goes through. So, as marine life undergoes genetic changes due to ocean acidification, it’s possible we’ll see a longer-term evolutionary shift. Over time, genes that weren’t as impactful before could evolve to act as a defence, helping to protect marine organisms from the harmful effects of acidification, especially in their brain development.
Read also: Balancing blue growth with green goals: The future of coastal and marine industries
The negative implications ripple through the lives of communities that depend on marine ecosystems to support their livelihoods. Fisheries will face declining yields, and tourism-based services will suffer as the diminished health of marine life reduces the appeal of coastal destinations for tourists- harming coastal economies, food security, and dependent industries. Additionally, if the oceans health continues deteriorating, the rising costs of conservation and restoration efforts along our coastal regions will place significant pressure on government resources and budgets.
From the depths of awareness to the shores of action
With rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, an increase in climate-related disasters, and a steady stream of media sensationalism, it’s easy to feel as though we’re taking two steps forward and three
