New evidence indicates that the health of the world’s oceans is deteriorating more rapidly than previously understood, with some regions already reaching critical thresholds.
A recent study published in the journal Global Change Biology reveals that ocean acidification has surpassed a “planetary boundary” as early as five years ago. This phenomenon occurs when the oceans absorb excessive carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, leading to increased acidity.
“Many people believe the situation is not dire,” remarked Nina Bednaršek, a senior researcher at Oregon State University and one of the study’s authors. “However, our findings demonstrate that the anticipated changes, and even more severe effects, are occurring globally—from the most pristine areas to the small, localized locations. We have fundamentally altered the ocean as a whole.”
The research, which also involved experts from the UK’s Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), indicates that by 2020, the acidity of the world’s oceans was perilously close to an alarming threshold, with some regions already having crossed into this danger zone.
According to scientific criteria, ocean acidification enters this hazardous zone when the concentration of calcium carbonate—a key component for marine organisms to form shells—drops below 20 percent of pre-industrial levels. The latest report calculates this value at approximately 17 percent.
“Ocean acidification poses not only an environmental challenge but also serves as a ticking time bomb for marine ecosystems and coastal economies,” stated Steve Widdicombe, director of science at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, in a press release. “As the acidity of our oceans increases, we are witnessing the degradation of essential habitats crucial for numerous marine species, which has profound societal and economic consequences.”
Research has identified nine planetary boundaries that, if exceeded, threaten humanity’s ability to sustain itself. Climate change is one such boundary, which scientists indicate is already beyond a “safe operating space” due to ongoing emissions of greenhouse gases. Ocean acidification, also a consequence of fossil fuel combustion, is another critical boundary that has been crossed.
