Acid oceans are shrinking plankton, fuelling faster climate change

Increasingly acidic oceans are putting algae at risk, threatening the foundation of the entire marine food web. 

Researchers investigated how acidic oceans
affect plankton in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica.

Our research into the effects of CO₂-induced changes to microscopic ocean algae – called phytoplankton – was published today in Nature Climate Change. It has uncovered a previously unrecognised threat from ocean acidification.

In our study we discovered increased seawater acidity reduced Antarctic phytoplanktons’ ability to build strong cell walls, making them smaller and less effective at storing carbon. At current rates of seawater acidification, we could see this effect before the end of the century.

Read the story from The Conversation - “Acid oceans are shrinking plankton, fuelling faster climate change.”