A deeper look at the effects of increased CO2 in the ocean

Background: Although it is still considered basic, increased CO2 has lowered the pH in the ocean from 8.2 to 8.1 since the start of the industrial revoluton some 200 years ago. While many calcifying species struggle to adapt to the acidification, species like algae may find benefit to the increased CO2 as terrestrial plants do. Many US waterways are naturally acidic with a ph below 7.0 - such as the Shenandoah, which abounds with fish, crustaceans, mollusks and turtles. What adaptations are present in these species and how are they similar and different to those found in the oceans? How are modern species similar/dissimilar to the prehistoric species found in the more acidic oceans millions of years ago? Is the memory of these very high CO2 periods present in modern oceanic animals sufficiently to alow rapid adaptation.

Thesis: We will explore ALL the effects, both positive and negative and compare today's oceans with actually acidic US rivers. We will also examine the genetic plasticity of several species of concern including corals, which were abundant in the acidic, prehistoric oceans. Can genetic plasticity keep up with the more rapidly changing pH in the oceans today?

Approach: Project under development. No details available yet.

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Everett-Vehrs Conservation and Research Foundation
4007 N. Abingdon Street
Arlington, Virginia USA 22207