Alarming acidification in the Arctic Ocean

Greenhouse gas emissions are making acidification of the Arctic Ocean faster than other oceans on Earth as a result of an international study published in Canada on May 6.

The results of the study show that ocean acidification takes place when seawater absorbs greenhouse gas emissions. Dissolved gases form a weak acid and can change the pH of a large sea area.

The acidification process in the Arctic Ocean became more pronounced than other seas because cold water was able to absorb CO ₂ faster than warm water, the Arctic waters exposed more to the atmosphere, while the amount of Decreasing ice and a large amount of freshwater from large rivers such as the Mackenzie of Canada and Lena of Russia significantly reduced the sea's ability to prevent acidification.

Photo: Sfgate.com

As a result, some Arctic waters currently have acidic concentrations that make it difficult for some marine species to create crust, primarily composed of alkaline-rich calcium.

Impacts are becoming apparent in Canada's Arctic waters, including the Beaufort Sea.

About 10% of the world's seafood is caught in the Arctic Ocean and the Northern Canadian aboriginals rely mainly on seafood sources.

Researcher Rashid Sumalia of the University of British Columbia, one of the authors of the study, said the Arctic Ocean is the most sensitive marine areas associated with ocean acidification reactions and will be the first ocean. First undergoes acidification process throughout the basin.

That makes the Arctic Ocean an early warning system for other oceans on earth.

In the past 200 years, the average acidity in the world's oceans has increased by 30% and according to the recommendations of the study, the only thing the world can do to solve the problem of acidification of oceans reduces. emissions of CO2 cause a greenhouse effect.

The study is the first to study the Arctic Ocean acidification process and is expected to be presented at an upcoming Arctic Council conference in Sweden. In the next term, Canada will assume the rotating presidency of this council for 2 years.