Proof on the Half Shell: A More Acid Ocean Corrodes Sea Life

Recent studies made by scientists at the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center (ACE) show that the shells of small sea organisms, called foraminifera, are becoming smaller due to the gradual acidification of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. These waters are becoming so acidified because of an increased level of CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The researchers found that modern foraminifera could not build shells as large as the ones their ancestors formed as recently as century ago. In fact, modern shells were 35 percent smaller than in the relatively recent past. Scientists go on to explain that they are not sure what this impact will have on the organisms' health and survival, but they are sure that these tiny creatures will not be able to store as much CO2 in their shells in the form of carbonate. William Howard, a marine geologist at ACE, says that CO2 emissions need to be decreased or cut alotgether in order to terminate the gradual acidification of the world's oceans. Howard also states that it is likely that other shell-building oceanic animals are suffering the same or similar difficulties as the foraminifera.