Ocean acidification, caused by increased CO2 levels, significantly impacts marine life and ecosystems. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, lowering the ocean’s pH. This process adversely affects calcifying organisms like corals, mollusks, and some plankton species, which rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. As acidity increases, the availability of carbonate ions decreases, making it harder for these organisms to form and maintain their structures, leading to weaker shells and skeletons.

Coral reefs, vital to marine biodiversity, are particularly vulnerable. Acidification reduces coral growth rates, weakens reef structures, and impedes reef recovery from bleaching events. This decline affects the myriad species that depend on reefs for habitat and food, disrupting the entire ecosystem.

Fish and other marine species also suffer. Acidification can impair sensory and neurological functions in fish, affecting behavior, predator-prey interactions, and survival rates. Additionally, changes in plankton populations can disrupt the food web, impacting species that rely on them as a primary food source.

Overall, ocean acidification threatens marine biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and impacts fisheries and coastal economies. Addressing CO2 emissions is crucial to mitigating these effects and preserving ocean health.