Unprecedented Increase in Ocean Acidity - Not Seen in 300 Million Years

Correlation of CO2 in atmosphere, seawater and seawater pH (acidity)   In a new study marine scientists have warned that the rate of ocean acidification presently occurring is unprecedented in the last 300 million years. This is due to dissolving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, much of which human activity has contributed over the last 200 years through the use of fossil fuels.    The extent and rate of acidification enhances the prospect for a mass marine extinction event this century. Research in paleoclimatology and oceanography has revealed that anthropogenic climate change is driving Ocean Acidification threatening marine ecosystems.    The oceans act as a great carbon sink which has been good for slowing the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and moderating the greenhouse effect which causes global warming. That is one reason why we have only experienced a 0.8C rise in average global temperatures over the last 100 years. More...