Unexpected result: Ocean acidification can also promote shell formation More carbon dioxide in the air also acidifies the oceans. It seemed to b...

Published on January 31, 2017 01:51 by LALA BEHARI SUKLA, Research Professor , Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar

Unexpected result: Ocean acidification can also promote shell formation More carbon dioxide in the air also acidifies the oceans. It seemed to be the logical conclusion that shellfish and corals will suffer, because chalk formation becomes more difficult in more acidic seawater. But now a group of scientists discovered to their own surprise that some tiny unicellular shellfish (foraminifera) make better shells in an acidic environment. This is a completely new insight. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170127112942.htm

2 Comments

Is it ? Shale gas lobby must be working overtime to blatant use of acids to weaken the rocks by acids for speedy drilling and allow acidified waters to reach seas eventually !

Commented on February 1, 2017 08:37 by LOKESH PUNJ, A B.TECH. Agr Engg, PGDM-SPA IIMA (1977-9) 25 yrs in Water Piping / Irrigation/Infra Projects
Keep in mind, that ocean acidification is killing off the algae. And 75% of the oxygen on this planet is made by that algae as it takes in CO2. Less algae = less CO2 sequestered by algae = less oxygen made by the lower level of algae. Not good.

Commented on February 1, 2017 06:15 by Ari Maayan, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder at Clean Environmental Technologies Pvt. Ltd.