(2019, May 7). Explaining Ocean Acidification Patterns During Ancient Warming. Retrieved from https://eos.org/research-spotlights/explaining-ocean-acidification-patterns-during-ancient-warming 

When corals and coralline algae are put to the test, they are not able to adapt to ocean acidification. The leaders of this particular study were from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and they concluded that the effects on the calcifying fluid were rapid and went on for the whole year. As expected, the number continues to decline in coralline algae leading to the loss of important marine species that use the algae as a nursery. 

The relation to the environment here is how the decline of coralline impacts the environment commercially. I, again, think that this is so sad that all these coral species are dying due to the carbon uptake in the modern day. 

Fitzer, S. (2019, February 2). The world’s shellfish are under threat as our oceans become more acidic. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-shellfish-are-under-threat-as-our-oceans-become-more-acidic-103868                      

The University of California – Santa Cruz did a study that shows three Caribbean coral species can survive under ocean acidification. Coral reefs tend to face many challenges to survive, including ocean acidification as a result of rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Adina Paytan, a professor at UCSC, points out that ocean acidification leads to the temperature of the ocean increasing, causing a disruption of the symbiosis between coral polyps and the algae that live in them. Although, Potts, a different professor, notes that a variety of species of Caribbean corals have long fossil records showing they have persisted through major changes in Earth’s history. Although three Caribbean coral species can survive in these harsh conditions, the density of their skeletons ends up being lower than normal. 

This article isn’t like most that you would read. The majority of the coral species are not able to survive in this current environment stage due to ocean acidification, yet these three particular species can. I think it’s really interesting to know that only very few can survive but it makes me think, what makes these three species so different from the others?

Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR). (2019, February 19). Ocean acidification harms cod larvae more than previously thought: New studies on cod larvae show severe organ damages caused by high CO2 concentrations. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 25, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190219111723.htm

One of the most important commercial fish species is the Atlantic Cod. Ocean acidification has a huge threat to this particular fish, especially the early life of them. Scientists from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research had hoped that the larvae would at least survive but even if they did, they would have significant organ damages and developmental delays. A particular organ that got damaged often was the gills, which pretty much regulate the oxygen uptake but more importantly are responsible for the internal pH which is the main problem in ocean acidification. The studies on cod larvae have been harmed by ocean acidification more than most had thought it would.

The Atlantic Cod relates to the environment because its the main target for ocean acidification currently. I think its terrible how many lives are being killed in the ocean right now due to the high CO2 concentration. It’s hard to watch it happen and not do anything about it. 

University of Plymouth. (2019, April 26). Ocean acidification ‘could have consequences for millions’. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 24, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190426075447.htm

Ocean Acidification has recently proposed the possibility that it may have consequences to millions of people. A professor at the University of Plymouth, Jason Hall-Spencer, has done many studies and has concluded that one of the largest impacts is directed towards people that depend on fisheries and aquaculture. On the coast of Japan, ocean acidification is having a major impact on marine life, and in the Mediterranean, it’s having a negative impact on wild fish. Both regions have volcanic CO2 seeps and it has been said in studies that CO2 seeps worldwide have shown that oysters or corals are sensitive to ocean acidification and that the scarcity of reefs is resulting in less coastal protection and less habitat for commercial fish. Professor Hall-Spencer believes the “time is ripe for a ‘Paris Agreement for the oceans’” (University of Plymouth) and that we need to acknowledge Ocean Acidification in our environment and make a change. 

Ocean acidification is having huge impacts on the environment right now. Typically coral reefs take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, but recently there has been an uptake of carbon dioxide resulting in coral reefs dying and destroying the ocean. I agree with Professor Hall-Spencer on the fact that we need to make an improvement and address the impacts of ocean acidification in order for things to change.