Doney et al, 2020, Annual Reviews, "The Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems and Reliant Human Communities"

Question 1

What are the primary causes of ocean acidification?

Answer 1

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, resulting from activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, agriculture, and land-use practices, contribute to increased CO2 levels in seawater, leading to alterations in ocean chemistry.

Question 2

What are the main consequences of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems?

Answer 2

Ocean acidification results in reductions in pH and changes in the acid-base chemistry of marine waters, which can have widespread biological impacts. These include changes in organism physiology, population dynamics, and ecosystem structure, ultimately affecting valuable ecosystem services like fisheries and shoreline protection.

Question 3

How has our understanding of ocean acidification evolved over the past few decades?

Answer 3

Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the sensitivity of marine life to elevated CO2 levels. This includes detailed characterization of species sensitivity, consideration of acclimation and adaptation, and greater ecological relevance in studying multiple stressors on marine ecosystems.

Question 4

What are some of the risks posed by ocean acidification to human communities?

Answer 4

Risks include potential losses in shellfish harvests, declines in coastal protection provided by coral reefs, and impacts on communities reliant on marine resources for food security and livelihoods.

Question 5

How can existing policies and management practices help address ocean acidification?

Answer 5

Some existing policies used to regulate water quality and marine species conservation can also contribute to addressing ocean acidification. Adaptive actions, such as strengthening shellfish aquaculture practices, can have co-benefits in mitigating its effects.

Question 6

What are the key challenges in addressing ocean acidification?

Answer 6

Challenges include understanding long-term implications for marine species and ecosystems, detecting and attributing impacts, and ensuring adaptive management practices that can respond effectively to both global-scale changes and local-scale concerns.