Coral Reef Damage

Oceans are a major "sink" in the carbon cycle, meaning they absorb CO2 that dissolves into the seawater and is taken up by living things, like sea animals and plants.  Some sinks to the ocean floor and is stored in deep sediments.  While this is all naturally a part of Earth's carbon cycle, the imbalance in atmospheric carbon is driving the acidification (lowered pH) of ocean water, as the increased CO2 changes the water's chemistry.  This is particularly detrimental to many fragile organisms that populate coral reefs.  The acidity makes it harder for corals to build their skeletons.  Other organisms, such as clams, oysters, and scallops, face a similar problem: more acidic water means less carbonate, which is needed to build their protective shells.

Now that you know a bit more about this climate change-related problem....