Monday June 16, 2025
Sustainability Times —
The silent transformation of our oceans is unfolding at a pace that demands urgent attention. According to a recent international study led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, ocean acidification has already crossed a critical threshold, with profound implications for marine ecosystems, coastal economies, and global stability. Although this change is invisible to the naked eye, its effects are far-reaching and devastating. As we explore this peril, it’s crucial to understand the stakes involved and the potential paths forward. How will this invisible threat reshape our world, and what can we do to mitigate its impact?
In 2020, the global ocean surpassed a vital threshold of acidification far earlier than predicted, yet this did not trigger the expected political alarm. The key indicator for this threshold is aragonite saturation, a mineral essential for forming the shells and skeletons of many marine organisms. When its levels drop by more than 20% from pre-industrial times, marine ecosystems are at risk.
Research shows that this biological and chemical barrier has been breached in over half of the waters between the surface and 656 feet deep, areas dense with marine life. Contrary to popular belief, most biodiversity is not concentrated at the surface but within these intermediate waters. Professor Helen Findlay emphasizes that species in these zones are as crucial as the visible corals in shallow waters.