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Antarctic Marine Wildlife Is Under Threat From Ocean Acidification, Study Finds

Posted by samzenpus on from the water-to-vinegar dept.

A study has found that a decreased pH level in the antarctic is damaging the shells of native wildlife. "Marine snails in seas around Antarctica are being affected by ocean acidification, scientists have found. An international team of researchers found that the snails' shells are being corroded. Experts says the findings are significant for predicting the future impact of ocean acidification on marine life. The results of the study are published in the journal Nature Geoscience (abstract). The marine snails, called "pteropods", are an important link in the oceanic food chain as well as a good indicator of ecosystem health. 'They are a major grazer of phytoplankton and... a key prey item of a number of higher predators - larger plankton, fish, seabirds, whales,' said Dr Geraint Tarling, Head of Ocean Ecosystems at the British Antarctic Survey and co-author of the report."

3 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Beware - overview may be severely biased... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Remember, this is the BBC, who took a corporate decision in 2006 to pursue an alarmist reporting stance.

    The original paper says that this is only a pilot study, and that it cannot definitely point to any disadvantage to the animals - 'they MAY suffer increased predation' is a typical comment. And the /. comment of 'water to vinegar' is frankly rubbish - no ph is given, but it's certainly not dropping to less than 7. 'Less alkali' is not the same as 'acidic'...

  2. REAL problems we should be worrying about: by StefanJ · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Why are we being asked to worry about this when Americans are facing REAL problems, like the War on Christmas, and Michelle Obama wanting to replace our children's cafeteria pizzas and sloppy joes with brocolli and whole wheat bread?

    PRIORITIES, PEOPLE, PRIORITIES!

    It's not like this problem is going to get worse and worse if we just ignore it, until there is a massive collapse of marine ecosystems leaving nothing but oceans full of algea blooms and teeming hordes of jellyfish.

  3. Re:why does this matter? by phantomfive · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    I can't figure out why some smallish results from marine ecology are "news that matters" to nerds.

    Because we haven't had a good global warming study in a while, and ocean acidification is a good proxy.

    --
    "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."