Gases emitted into the atmosphere are inevitably absorbed by our oceans. Much of the CO2 already emitted has gone into the oceans and the ocean acidity has been measured to be increasing (historically around 8.17 pH). The implications are that by the end of the century there may be no corals left as they will be unable to form the Calcium Carbonate from the ocean waters that they need to form coral. The collapse of the coral reef system will seriously impact on biodiversity with the consequent disruption to food sources from the ocean on which human society depends. Also to be impacted are species using Calcium to form shells or protection such as plankton, prawns, crabs, etc.
Impact type 2050 2100 2300
Low High Low High Low High
Decreased pH 8.0 7.9 7.8 7.7
% Loss of carbonate
forming species 10 30 70 90
% Loss of foraminifera
and plankton 10 30 60 85
[Assessed Dec 2010]
