Rising levels of acidity in oceans revealed
MAN-made carbon emissions since the industrial revolution have acidified the oceans far beyond natural levels, research suggests.
Ocean acidity makes it harder for organisms such as molluscs and coral to construct the shells they need to survive.
In some regions, acidity rose faster in the last two centuries than it did in the previous 21,000 years, a study has shown.
Measuring changes in ocean acidity is difficult because it varies naturally between seasons, years and regions.
Direct observations only date back 30 years, not long enough to reveal a meaningful trend.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Alan Pattullo: Dignity, not sanctimony, is required at Parkhead
- 300 jobs at risk as Ryanair axes five Edinburgh routes
- Suzanne Pilley trial: I kissed her goodbye then never saw her again, says would-be lover
- Rangers administration: Craig Whyte’s promise to step aside and hand Rangers over to fans ‘ludicrous’
- David Cameron is playing into the SNP’s hands, says Michael Forsyth
- Scottish independence: Spectre of border controls raised by top Tory
- David Cameron is playing into the SNP’s hands, says Michael Forsyth
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond hits back at Tory ‘Bourbons’ in battle over devo-max
- Scottish independence: Anti-Scottish jibes boost separation, Michael Gove warns Right
- The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: West
Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
steve660
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 08:51 AMBy the time enough data is obtained to reveal a "meaningful trend" it will be too late. And even then the deniers will still not accept it.
Hector the Lessor
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:31 AMOK, just accept that human beings have now achieved an infestation level and things will not improve unless you encourage at least 80% of the population to join the space race and go for far and distant planets where mankind has never travelled before. Mind you avoid planets that have already visited Earth, there is a bit of a risk they will shoot you down before you land.
Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 03:59 PMFirstly this..... "MAN-made carbon emissions since the industrial revolution have acidified the oceans far beyond natural levels, research suggests." .... Then this.... "Direct observations only date back 30 years, not long enough to reveal a meaningful trend" In other words more total BS from the paranoid idiots.
Tierney'sTruth
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:11 AMThe sentences don't contradict. "Direct Observations" only go back 30 years which make it difficult to make out the recent trend. However proxies for paleo ocean acidity exist giving us a good indication of how acidic the oceans were thousands of years ago. A rise in atmospheric CO2 to the extent that has occurred since the industrial revolution will have a severe impact on the carbonate system in the ocean. Basically increased atmospheric CO2 can lead to increased dissolution of carbonate in the oceans. An increase in the dissolution of carbonate means that the organisms mentioned will find it difficult to construct their outer skeleton.
unimpressedone
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 08:28 AM#1, Too true, but to be expected from the green brigade. Full of 'possible', 'maybes' and 'trends predicts'. The last sentence is the most accurate.
jerrymanders
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 01:05 AMWell that's as clear as mud - five sentences that completely contradict!
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.