The brunt of global warming as seen in form of climate change is getting harsher below the Earth’s mighty oceans. Coral reefs of Pacific are facing survival threat in manners more than one. The rise in temperature above the ocean surface owing to massive CO2 emissions is resulting in a change in the pH levels of water bodies. Primarily basic in nature, oceans are now becoming acidic by the day. The increasing acidity could be disastrous eventually, as it is hindering the formation of Corals which have an intricate calcium carbonate skeleton. Moreover, the results of new research indicate that the glue which holds coral reefs together and tethers it to the ocean floor may not form with the increase in oceanic acidity levels. A higher acidic level means a lower pH-at lower levels of pH the process which results in formation of cementing binder gets substantially affected! The formation of coral is a slow process. The calcium carbonate precipitated out of ocean water forms the binder. This binder rushes through the pores of coral’s skeleton.

These results are an outcome of the comparison studies wherein, scientists studied CO2 levels in eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, near the Galapagos Islands (the region is known for its naturally varying oceanic carbon dioxide levels) and compared them with western Pacific’s data. According to researchers, the eastern Pacific is essentially nature’s own laboratory to study the how’s and why’s of coral reef ecosystems. Although the waters of Galapagos are upwelled by the incoming currents of colder water and this may be one of the factors in the cementation difference as noted by the scientists during their studies. But, the findings of this research definitely add up to the devastating effects (as Scientist predict) of rising CO2 levels both above and below the oceans. Thus oceanic acidity affects coral reefs in two ways:1) slows down the coral skeletal formation by hindering carbonate formation and 2) affecting the process of glue-formation which is very important for the survival of coral reefs.At this corrosive rate, ocean acidification should not be ignored by the global community.World leaders are actively addressing  issues of global warming and climate change but forgetting that the triangle gets completed with the third place getting occupied by ocean acidification!

Via: Discovery

The corals of atolls in island of Kiribati republic are facing danger from something beyond global warming. In Butaritari, a well-known island of Gilberts chain of Kiribati and land area of 13.6 km², the coral reefs are now becoming a victim of algae Eucheuma, introduced by humans for commercial aspects. In Hawaiian Islands, 3 kinds of algae are farmed currently, one of them being Eucheuma which has already destroyed the coral heads of Kaneohe Bay. These algae were brought here during early 70’s by Max Doty, a professor of botany at the University of Hawaii. He developed the techniques of algae cultivation which are now followed by farmers in Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Tonga.

The algae s harvested for commercial purposes. Eucheuma is seaweed which is cultivated by poor local people of the above mentioned islands. It is not edible seaweed but is grown in huge number to extract carrageenan (a sought-after binder & fat substitute in food industry, used as an emulsifier in ice creams!).

Eucheuma has a low content of carrageenan; hence, needs to be cultivated in large quantities.
The issue now at face is that this sea weed has infected the coral reef of Butaritari. The bushy seaweed nestles itself in the reef’s crevices thus driving out the tropical fishes that once housed these coral reefs. Moreover, this seaweed is so tough that it is avoided by algae-grazing fish also. Besides disturbing the reef’s ecology, the large numbers of weed (Eucheuma) are also fouling the nets of local fishermen. These poor people are not able to catch enough fishes for their survival. Thus the seaweed is indirectly hitting the topmost occupant of the food chain as well! The sad story doesn’t end here. These seaweeds grow at a rate of 7 percent a week; meaning, if this goes on like this for a few more years, the entire coral reef of Butaritari would be destroyed by it!

According to Dr. Jennifer E. Smith of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Eucheuma is one of the most damaging seaweeds known today. She has studied the Hawaiian invasion for eight years.
Alarmed by the seaweed population, she said, “If there is that much Eucheuma in Butaritari, it proves it can destroy a healthy reef as opposed to a degraded one like in Kaneohe.” Addressing her concern on the increasing coral mortality rates Dr. Smith also said, “Introduced species have had large impacts on marine ecosystems around the world”.

The local fishermen, ecologists and government are still trying to figure out some concrete solution to relieve the stress faced by the corals by this seaweed. What is required is a synergistic move by all the three bodies. But so far the scenario is disheartening only. The world community should take a lesson or two from what is happening in Butaritari that, intentional introduction of species in any ecosystem can cause more harm than imagined by people.

Via NYTimes

Rising CO2 levels is just not a nuisance for those living above the seas but for those dwelling underneath oceans as well. So far, the focus is shifted more towards the implication of increased levels of this gas in atmosphere; concerns on Global Warming thus being voiced by Governments and Public alike every other day. But oceanographers have warned that there’s another reason to check our carbon emissions as more carbon dioxide in the air means more of it in our oceans and seas. Most of us don’t realize that oceans are the absorbing-pits of this green house gas. As per an estimate, the world’s oceans have absorbed 40 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions produced by humans in the industrial age. And more and more CO2 in oceans is becoming a threat to Coral reefs - nature’s most lively and intricate architecture. Since the time Earth’s landscape comprised of nothing more than huge primordial soup in hot water bodies, these corals are being formed and today they are important for the healthy survival of other marine flora and fauna.

Some might say that, since oceans are there to suck up all that CO2 why should we bother about cutting back our emissions? The reason being ocean waters originally basic in nature (pH wise) are becoming highly acidic day by day, rendering it unfit for the creatures like corals. Already the acidity of ocean waters has shifted about 0.1 on the pH scale, or 10 percent, since pre-industrial times, and could get far more acidic by mid-century. So, besides aggravating global warming, increasing CO2 level is contributing towards ocean acidification. Scientists predict that if we continue to burn fossil fuels at this rate, the acidification process will acquire dangerous proportions. If the current carbon emission rate is not checked over the next decade, marine life including coral reefs will face extinction threat. Think about a scenario where the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and other famous coral reefs get destroyed. Not only the loss would be incurred upon tourism industry but the ecological impact would far reaching and very drastic.

Already the situation is pretty serious with WWF clearly stating that G8 countries are unable to check their emissions. To overcome this problem measures taken by only G8 countries aren’t enough. People all over the world should unite and work synergistically to protect our natural assets for coming generations.

Via BlogWired