Arctic Ocean acidity rising due to human carbon emissions

BBC : Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions are lowering the pH of the world’s oceans: More CO ₂, which reacts with water to form carbonate and hydrogen ions, is being absorbed by seawater. The findings are based on a recent report by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme , an advisory group created to provide information and advice regarding ocean chemistry, anthropogenic pollution, and associated issues. The Arctic Ocean is particularly susceptible to CO ₂ absorption for several reasons. Cold water absorbs CO ₂ faster than warm water. Also, the decrease in summer sea ice is leaving more water surface exposed. And the increasing flow of fresh water from rivers and melting land ice “lowers the concentration of ions that buffers pH change,” says Richard Bellerby, the report’s chairman. Acidity levels have been reported to be about 30% higher now than before the Industrial Revolution. While some ocean species may suffer, others could thrive. What the long-term effects of increasing acidification will be are still unknown.