Oceans are getting warmer, polluted, too noisy... But also more acidic! š§Ŗ . š Ocean has been quietly helping us with global warming by absorbing about 1/3 of all carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. A third! But it's paying a hefty price for it. . š Since 1850 ocean acidity increased by about 30%, which is a rate 10 times higher than anytime in the last 55 million years. And it's only expected to accelerate towards the end of a century! . š§Ŗ So is ocean turning into acid and will burn our bones? Fortunately we are far from that, but the changes are still potentially sewere. More acidic ocean means that seawater has less carbonate - basic building material, crucial for coral skeletons creation and integrity of all sorts of shells. . š In a terrifying experiment, mollusc shell dropped into the water as acidic as it's expected to be in 2100...dissolved after 45 days! . ā¢ļø Combined with all the other problems ocean is facing, the consequences can be beyond measure. Coral reefs will have less material to grow, oysters, clams and other shellfish might seize to exist in natural conditions, and ocean will stop being so effective in absorbing carbon dioxide! . š Follow @freshnsaltyeco to get a clue in the blue! . . . #freshnsalty #clueintheblue #oceanacidification #conservationthrougheducation #savethereef #animalillustrations #comicartists #educatorsofinstagram #animalfacts #marinelifematters #oceancleanup #cartoonlover #cartoonoftheday #underwaterimages #marinewildlife #divingislife #scienceillustration #oceaneducation #cartoondesign #oceanman #cartoonartist #oceanconservation #marineconservation #oceanlovers #oceanlife #savetheocean #marinebiology #comicart https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ3j4PGhIju/?utm_medium=tumblr
