Works Cited
“Gattuso, Jean-Pierre, et al. 'Ocean Acidification and Its Effects.' CoastAdapt, National Climate
Change Adaptation Research Facility, 2023, https://coastadapt.com.au/ocean-acidification-and-
its-effects.”
“Societal Causes of, and Responses to, Ocean Acidification.” PMC, National Center for
Biotechnology Information, 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6541573/.
Ocean acidification happens when the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide. This adversely affects
marine life, especially calcifying organisms such as corals and shellfish. The world’s oceans are
gaining acidity as we continue to use fossil fuels. As a result, coral bleaching is happening more
often.
Ocean acidification weakens corals by hindering their ability to form calcium carbonate
skeletons; as a result, coral reefs are more susceptible to bleaching and storm damage. This not
only threatens biodiversity but also impacts economic activities such as tourism and fishing. The
reef supports a diverse range of marine life essential for ecological balance and provides income
for local communities.
The fishing industry of Australia is at risk because of ocean acidification. Species like oysters
and mussels face potential decline from lowering pH levels. This could lead to significant
economic losses. Predictions put this figure at $100 billion loss by 2100 if current emission
trends continue.
Moreover, the tourism industry could be severely affected by the impacts of acidification on
marine ecosystems. In Australia, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park attracts about 1.9 million
visits each year, generating $5.7 billion for the Australian economy.
Additionally, marine ecosystems such as coral reefs protect shorelines from the destructive
action of storm surges and cyclones. This protective function of reefs prevents loss of life,
property damage, and erosion. The decline of coral reefs increases the vulnerability of coastal
areas to erosion and storm surges, which poses risks to coastal communities.
Addressing this challenge requires many different solutions. By far the most obvious and
effective long-term solution is reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to renewable
energy and implementing sustainable practices across industries are vital steps as these measures
not only help acidification but also climate change.
Local management practices also play a crucial role. Regulating local pollution sources, such as
agricultural runoff, can improve water quality and mitigate damage to marine ecosystems.
Managing these pollution sources to prevent eutrophication is essential for maintaining healthy
marine ecosystems.
In addition, regulations for sustainable fishing are also crucial to protect these ecosystems.
Examples of sustainable practices are regulated catch limits, and habitat protection.
In conclusion, ocean acidification presents significant challenges to Australia’s marine
environments and the communities dependent on them. It is imperative to continue research and
develop innovative solutions as soon as possible to avoid an environmental catastrophe.
