Why in the news?
A recent study highlighted that ocean acidification has crossed its planetary boundary, posing gruesome threats to marine ecosystems and global climate stability.
About Ocean Acidification
It refers to the ongoing reduction in the pH of Earth’s oceans, resulting from the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid. So, as a property of an acidic ocean, pH and calcium carbonate levels get reduced, which is essential for many marine organisms.
Causes of Ocean Acidification
(a) Natural processes: Organic material, including the remains of sea organisms, collects on seabeds. When decomposed, these materials eject CO₂, leading to acidification.
Chemical reactions at the seabed can also increase hydrogen ion concentrations, further reducing pH levels.
(b) Chemical process: Carbonic acid is formed when carbon dioxide is dissolved in seawater. This weak acid splits into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.
The enhancement of hydrogen ions makes water more acidic, and a reduction in carbonate ions, which are important for marine calcifiers.
(c) CO₂ absorption by the oceans: Oceans take around 30% of the Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. As a result, it helps reduce global warming, but at the cost of rising oceanic CO₂ levels and pushing acidification.
(d) Rising atmospheric CO₂: Anthropogenic activities(traditional fuels burning, cutting down of trees in large numbers, and industrialisation) have tremendously raised carbon dioxide levels. Annual Carbon dioxide emissions increased by around 30% compared to 1960 levels. (Global carbon budget 2024)
(e) Waste disposal: Industrial effluents and domestic waste dumping in oceans reduce pH levels.
(f) Eutrophication: Caused by nutrient-rich runoff, it fosters plankton blooms. The collapse of these blooms results in bacteria decomposing the organic matter, taking oxygen, and releasing CO₂ into the water.
Impacts of Ocean Acidification
(i) Calcifying Species Affected: Corals, oysters, mussels, and pteropods (sea butterflies) are most sensitive to such events.
(ii) Fisheries and Livelihoods: Reduction in fish nursery grounds impacts the food livelihoods of coastal communities.
(iii) Tourism Sector: Coral reef degradation negatively impacts tourism as it is an attractive force. Also recreational diving industry will be hit.
(iv) Climate Feedbacks: Destruction of ocean ecosystems like plankton may weaken carbon carbon-capturing capacity of oceans. This could push global warming over time.
(v) Social impacts: Climate-induced migration and livelihood loss may trigger geopolitical tensions. Rising unemployment in coastal sectors may trigger social unrest.
Steps to Tackle it
(a) Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON): It is a collaborative global network of three hundred sixty-seven members from sixty-six countries, aimed at increasing the monitoring and understanding of ocean acidification across estuarine, coastal, and open ocean systems.
(b) UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030): Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, it aims to reverse the decline the ocean health through stimulating scientific research, technological innovation, and policy-relevant knowledge.
(c) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO: Under its Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), it supports real-time ocean monitoring, including pH and CO₂ measurements.
(d) Blue Carbon Initiatives provides research, policy advice, and financing mechanisms to promote blue carbon strategies globally.
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Way Ahead
(a) Policy and Governance: Mainstream ocean acidification into national climate and ocean policies. Prioritise Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
(b) Local Adaptation and Conservation: Protect and restore resilient ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrasses. Implement Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in regions of high vulnerability.
(c) Reducing CO₂ emissions: Utilise Renewable energy sources for energy consumption. Also, promote the adoption of carbon-neutral technologies and energy diversification.
(d) Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Invest in CO₂ sequestration technology. So that they( from power plants and industries) can be captured before they enter the atmosphere.
(e) Raising awareness: Raise awareness and educate people about ocean acidification and its detrimental effects on ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods.
(f) Sustainable development: Invest in scientific research to better understand acidification trends and their implications. Promote international collaboration through initiatives like Blue Carbon Initiatives, GOA-ON, and the IOC of UNESCO…
Conclusion
Ocean acidification is not only an ocean problem, but a multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral crisis impacting biodiversity, economies, food systems, and climate resilience negatively. Its silent but accelerating pace demands urgent and coordinated policy responses globally and nationally.