Alaskan Waters Becoming More Acidic
14.08.2009 - Water & Oceans, Flora & Fauna, Other, Arctic
According to new findings by a University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist, Alaska's oceans are becoming increasingly acidic, which has both direct and indirect impacts on fauna and economic activities (salmon and king crab fisheries).
Concentrations of shell-building minerals are declining in acidic waters. Shellfish, crabs and other organims living in these areas are less able to build strong shells. These organisms are adapted to a certain range of acidity and, when conditions change, the energy they spend in adapting is diverted away from growth and reproduction.
Tiny organisms at the bottom of the food chain are also adapted to a narrow range of acidity. Even a small decrease in the population of these tiny animals can have a drastic impact on bigger species that have high commercial value and that feed on these tiny animals.
The problem is likely to get worse in the future, because commercial fisheries established in these waters act like giant CO2 pumps, absorbing more and more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, initiating a positive feedback loop.
