Polar Ocean Acidification : LOSS OF RESOURCES FROM THE “OTHER” CO2 PROBLEM

• Although technically not “cryosphere” (which is frozen water), the Arctic Ocean, and Southern Ocean around Antarctica make up some of the world’s richest fisheries, with diverse marine ecosystems. These cold waters are however highly vulnerable to ocean acidification from increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. We already are crossing important ocean acidification thresholds in these regions, with early impacts possibly observed on some polar ocean species. There is substantial risk that ocean acidification will damage ecosystems and weaken the food chain in these important resource waters, even should countries meet the stated 2 degree goal, which entails atmospheric CO2 levels peaking at 450ppm. However, CO2 concentrations associated with current INDCs in the 2.7–3.5 degree range are far higher still, anticipated to peak potentially above 600ppm. At such high levels, and because of the very long time scales required for acidity to decrease, there is high risk for irreversible impacts on biodiversity in the Arctic and Southern oceans, with consequences for polar and near-polar fisheries and human activities.

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NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

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