What environmental change can significantly affect marine life due to increased CO2 levels?

Increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are absorbed by the ocean, leading to a process known as ocean acidification. This environmental change has a dramatic impact on marine life, particularly organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to form their shells and skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and certain plankton species.

As CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which releases hydrogen ions and lowers the pH of the water. This increased acidity can hinder the ability of these marine organisms to extract the carbonate ions they need to create their shells. Moreover, ocean acidification can disrupt the physiological processes of marine species, affecting their growth, reproduction, and survival rates.

While ocean warming, pollution, and overfishing are also significant environmental issues that impact marine ecosystems, ocean acidification directly correlates with rising atmospheric CO2 levels and poses specific threats to the foundational species within marine food webs. These alterations can lead to broader ecological consequences, affecting biodiversity and the overall health of marine environments.