Ocean Acidification & Coral Reefs
Ethan Lee
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Ocean acidification is a grave issue that is deteriorating the common habitats of marine life. Reports from the US Environmental Protection Agency reveal that prior to the Industrial Revolution, the average ocean pH was around 8.2. However, currently, the average pH has decreased to about 8.1. Although this may seem like barely anything has changed, a 0.1 pH difference means that the ocean has become approximately 30% more acidic between the Industrial Revolution and the modern era.
The main cause of a decrease in pH is the vast amount of CO2 floating around the air. CO2 is an acidic oxide, thus meaning that when dissolved into water, it can lower the pH and increase the acidity of the water. Connecting back to the ocean, the Natural History Museum explains that CO2 gas in the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean water, increasing the concentration of hydrogen ions and making the water acidic. CO2 is a huge factor in global warming, and simple actions such as littering to massive causes like running factories all produce vast amounts of CO2 and greenhouse gases.
Coral reefs, on the other hand, are extremely beneficial for the ocean. According to NOAA’s National Ocean Service, coral reefs are home to over 4,000 species of marine life, maintaining a healthy habitat for them to live in. Furthermore, coral reefs protect shorelines by reducing the impact from waves, storms, and floods. Because they possess a unique shape that absorbs the energy from disasters, the impact of disasters is reduced significantly — lives are saved, properties are protected from damage, and erosion is reduced. As for marine life, coral reefs are also home to important filter feeders, such as sponges. Filter feeders filter toxins and contaminants out of the ocean, and support the growth of ocean plants, which take in CO2 and produce oxygen. The efforts of coral reefs support a clean ocean for marine life to thrive in.
However, ocean acidification is negating the benefits of coral reefs. The US National Science Foundation reports that an analysis revealed the impact of ocean acidification — the skeletons of corals in more acidic waters were significantly thinner. Because the ocean’s pH is dreadfully acidic and low, the corals cannot produce as much aragonite to thicken their skeletons. As a result, the weakly structured corals are more susceptible to strong waves and eroding organisms. When corals do not have a thick skeleton, they also cannot filter out as many contaminants for cleaner marine life. For all of these reasons, coral reefs will need to face the decreasing ocean pH without support from anyone.
To combat an ocean full of acidity, experts have set several meetings to discuss the possible solutions for ocean acidification. Science Direct expresses a long-term solution, as it is possible to curtail the increase of atmospheric CO2. If possible, experts aim to “continue efforts to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 °C,” as expressed at the COP21 in Paris. Additionally, an inter-disciplinary workshop gathered 62 economic, social, and natural science experts from different fields “to stimulate a global discussion on ecological and economic risks and potential solutions for coral reefs in six different regions in the world.” As solutions were split into four important categories (Protect, Mitigate, Repair, Adapt), realistic solutions for the protection of coral reefs have been made with dedication and effort.
Works Cited
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Understanding the Science of Ocean and Coastal Acidification. EPA, https://www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/understanding-science-ocean-and-coastal-acidification. Accessed 7 July 2025.
Natural History Museum. “What Causes Ocean Acidification?” NHM, https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/quick-questions/what-causes-ocean-acidification.html. Accessed 7 July 2025.
National Ocean Service. Importance of Coral Reefs. NOAA, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral07_importance.html. Accessed 7 July 2025.
National Science Foundation. “Scientists Pinpoint How Ocean Acidification Affects Coral Skeletons.” NSF, https://www.nsf.gov/news/scientists-pinpoint-how-ocean-acidification. Accessed 7 July 2025.
Fabricius, Katharina E., et al. “Ocean Acidification Affects Coral Reef Ecosystems.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 135, 2018, pp. 763–771. ScienceDirect, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485518305978. Accessed 7 July 2025.
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