Ocean Acidity levels rising 10 x faster than expected

[n2doc]

Helen Scales
for National Geographic News
November 24, 2008
Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may make Earth's oceans more acidic faster than previously thought—unbalancing ecosystems in the process, a new study says.

Since 2000, scientists have measured the acidity of seawater around Tatoosh Island off the coast of Washington state. The acidity increased ten times quicker than climate models predicted.

The research also revealed the corrosive effect of acidic oceans could trigger a dramatic shift in coastal species and jeopardize shellfish stocks.

"The increase in acidity we saw during our study was about the same magnitude as we expect over the course of the next century," said study co-author Timothy Wootton, a marine biologist from the University of Chicago.

"This raises a warning flag that the oceans may be changing faster than people think," he said.

Increased carbon dioxide emissions from human activities have led to a 30 percent rise in ocean acidity in the past 200 years.

more:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081124-...

[tama]

1. A quote:

"Marine biologist Knowlton said, "This is typical of so many climate studies—almost without exception things are turning out to be worse than we originally thought.""

[Nihil]

6. Another:

> "The increase in acidity we saw during our study was about the
> same magnitude as we expect over the course of the next century"

Oops.

[Gregorian]

2. Growth and consumption.

Six billion strong.

There isn't much to say about the phenomena we're seeing. Until we address the main cause, it's going to continue. I just got off the phone with California Department of Forestry, and the fire safety guy says that he's shocked at how many new homes are being built on the coast. Even now, during this downturn.


Edit- I might as well post this thing I thought of last night. Even though most of what I say seems to be irritating to almost everyone.

"If we're going to breed,
we're going to need."

[stuntcat]

8. close to seven

almost 7 billion, 7 billion self-conscious apes. About now is the time educated 1st-worlders should start realizing what's up with the future but they KEEP having little babies. I'm skipping Thanksgiving tomorrow because I can't pretend to have a nice time around the obliviously happy family.

Growth is Great more more more, no end in sight right?

[Barrett808]

3. I often confront climate-change "skeptics" with this

If they won't accept the climate science, I find that the acidification issue shuts them up.

[XemaSab]

4. .

[Dead_Parrot]

5. x10, no less.

OFHWAD.

[hatrack]

7. Oops!

Sorry 'bout that!