Study Shows Ocean Acidity Rising Rapidly, Threatening Shellfish

Increasing absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere is acidifying a section of the Pacific Ocean 10 to 20 times faster than previous models had predicted and may already be affecting the ability of some mollusks to successfully make hard shells, according to a new report. After collecting water samples every 30 minutes over 8 years from the same area off Washington State, scientists from the University of Chicago found a steady rise in the ocean’s acidity caused by growing absorption of CO2. Researchers have been increasingly concerned about ocean acidification, but many projected that the sheer volume of ocean waters would lead to a slower buildup of acidity. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said that a decline of mussels in the study region may be due to acid weakening or dissolving the mollusk’s calcium carbonate-based shell.