As a consequence of global warming, the oceans are beginning to acidify, endangering the survival of thousands of marine species. This process is already reaching the western Arctic Ocean, which could affect shellfish and other animals that residents depend on according to a study conducted by NOAA and other collaborators, and published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
This new research shows that between the years 1990 and 2010, the depth of the acidified waters increased from approximately 99 meters below the surface to more than 244 meters.
As the sea absorbs carbon dioxide, the water becomes acidic. In doing so, the shell animals that live in it, such as shellfish or sea snails, cannot build their "shields" as they should; so over time they weaken. And, as they weaken, human populations residing in the Arctic will have trouble finding food.
According to study co-author Wei-Jun Cai of the University of Delaware, "The Arctic Ocean is the first ocean to see such a rapid and large-scale increase in acidification, at least twice as fast as that observed in the Pacific or Atlantic oceans».
Image - Tammy Beeson, University of Delaware
Analysis of the Arctic Ocean data and model simulations showed that increased water flow from the Pacific to the Arctic during winter, driven by circulation patterns and sea ice in summer, is primarily responsible for the expansion of Arctic acification.
In recent years, sea ice melt has allowed more water from the Pacific to flow into the Arctic Ocean and accumulate, increasing already high levels of carbon dioxide. However, the pH of arctic water is decreasing.
You can read the study here (It is in English).