Location
SPREP LIBRARY
Publisher
SPC/SPREP
Publication Year:
2009
Publication Place
Noumea, New Caledonia
Physical Description:
16 p.
Call Number
[EL]
Relevant Countries
French Polynesia
Collection
Material Type
Language
English
Record ID:
36280
Legacy PEIN ID:
76287
General Notes
Available online
Available online
Subject Heading(s)
Coral reefs - Acidification
Abstract
The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is leading to an increase in dissolved CO2 in the oceans, leading to another increase in hydrogen ions and therefore a relative acidifi cation, although the pH still remains slightly alkaline. In addition, this will also lead to fewer available carbonate ions. This concentration contributes to the transformation of calcium ions from a solid state (calcium carbonate) to a liquid state. Thus, the calcifi cation rate will similarly decrease in all carbonate skeletal organisms, including corals. The risk of such a drop in calcium carbonate saturation is that dissolution factors, combined with mechanical destruction and bioerosion, will reverse coral reef construction and start fragmentation of the structure. It is generally thought that the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, currently of 386 ppm, should not exceed 450-500 ppm to avoid this situation. However, according to IPCC scenarios, such values will be reached in less than a century.
Location
SPREP LIBRARY
Publisher
SPC/SPREP
Publication Year:
2009
Publication Place
Noumea, New Caledonia
Physical Description:
16 p.
Call Number
[EL]
Relevant Countries
French Polynesia
Collection
Material Type
Language
English
Record ID:
36280
Legacy PEIN ID:
76287
General Notes
Available online
Record Created: 02-Mar-2010
Record Modified: 09-Mar-2021