Blog 11: How ocean acidification is affecting coral reef ecosystems

Coral reefs are being affected by the ocean acidification and this can be shown in the Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Scientists are seeing signs of increase amount with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and see a low pH in the water. Some types of coral reefs will be affected more than others. The scientists have noticed that the coral reefs have a dramatic affect by the pH level. Some coral reels are able to grow at low pH levels and these are not the coral reefs that are the ones who coral reefs are known for.  The coral reefs that have been affected by the low pH level have affected the chemical balance of seawater. This affects the coral and makes it harder for them to build and maintain their structures.  By 2100 oceans will have increased acidification and the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will lead to higher and higher acidification and it will affect the corals growth and other organisms.

Coral reefs are a main part of the world and they affect many people. The coral reefs are a source of food and a way of life to many people.   With the rising of the carbon dioxide this will affect the ocean’s acidity and many of the ecosystems of coral reefs and people will begin to see and the effects. Because of the blockage in calcification due to ocean acidification, these life-forms are deprived of their very survival which in turn would prove to be threatening for people who are either engaged in the business of collecting pearls from oysters or are engaged in the business of buying/selling and consuming crustaceans as food products. People depend on the corals and without them it will have so much damage. 


http://www.earthtimes.org/conservation/ocean-acidification-affecting-coral-reef-ecosystems/1661/