Ocean Acidification

Unmasking Maritime Pollution’s Depths The global shipping industry, while vital for international trade and economic growth, significantly contributes to chemical pollution in our oceans and atmosphere. This pollution extends far beyond the visible oil spills that often capture headlines. It encompasses a complex mixture of air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and water contaminants, with far-reaching consequences for both environmental and human health. ...

To truly understand the complexities of ocean acidification, it’s essential to delve into its underlying chemical mechanisms. When seawater absorbs atmospheric CO2, a gas that is being emitted at alarming rates due to human activities, it triggers a cascade of chemical reactions that ultimately increase hydrogen ion concentration and subsequently lower the water’s pH, making it more acidic.12 This intricate chemical process simultaneously reduces carbonate ion availability, a critical building block. This reduction proves particularly devastating for shell-building organisms such as oysters, clams, and mussels, which rely on these carbonate ions for survival and the development of their protective shells.34 ...