There needs to be action taken as carbon dioxide emissions are affecting ocean chemistry around the North American West coastline. Scientists involved in the action include Andrew Dickson, Marine chemist at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
If suitable changes are not made, the West Coast will suffer due to the alterations to the seawater and it is well known that acidification can have a devastating effect on the ecology of the area. It is understood that carbon dioxide is not just a danger when it comes to climate change but can damage oceans and Alexandria Boehm, a professor at Stanford understands that work carried out needs to address the problems facing the oceans and predict what needs to be done in the future.
Scientific panel including Scripps Oceanography geochemist warns on accelerating rate of ocean acidification along West Coast.
Already shelled organisms are failing to produce an effective outer shell and many are dying as a result of the new level of acidity. The panel was set up in 2013 with the aim of exploring how well agencies could work together and the report called “Major Findings Recommendations and Actions” details what needs to be done by the governing bodies in Washington, Oregon, and California to limit the damage being caused.
It is understood that seagrass can be used to take up the carbon and there must be a revision of the criteria that determines water quality. Land-based pollution has to be kept out of the ocean and a monitoring network must be enhanced. Add to this is supporting a way to allow organisms to adapt and the creation of a West Coast Science Task Force.
