Acidification refers to the process of becoming acidic or increasing in acidity. In environmental contexts, it is most commonly associated with two phenomena: ocean acidification and soil acidification. Ocean acidification occurs when seawater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, leading to chemical reactions that reduce the water’s pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals. This affects marine organisms like corals, shellfish, and plankton, which rely on carbonate ions to build their shells and skeletons. Soil acidification, on the other hand, is often caused by the use of agricultural fertilizers and acid rain. It results in a decrease in soil pH, negatively impacting plant growth, soil microbial activity, and soil chemistry, potentially leading to reduced agricultural productivity. Both types of acidification pose significant challenges for ecosystems and human activities dependent on them.
In first-of-its-kind research, NOAA scientists and academic partners used 100 years of microscopic shells to show that the coastal waters off California are acidifying twice…
A newly published study from MIT and colleagues shows that ocean acidification may cause dramatic changes to phytoplankton communities, recealing that many species may die…
Using satellite measurements, researchers and a team of international collaborators are developing new methods to quantify ocean acidity around the globe. With fundamental changes happening…
The state of Washington, the leading US producer of farmed shellfish, announced that it is launching a 42-step plan to reduce ocean acidification. The initiative…
Paleontologists have discovered micrometer-scale fossils of plankton from the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a period of rapid ocean warming and acidification that occurred 55 million years…
The current rising acidity in the ocean is supposed to have dire consequences for organisms like coral, but there are some sea urchins that have…
In an effort to better understand ocean acidification and the effects of climate change on coral reefs, an international team of scientists has created a…
To better understand how to protect coral reefs, a team of microbiologists are investigating how environmental changes, such as oxygen depletion and ocean acidification, create…
In an effort to create an alternative way to produce aviation fuels, NASA is exploring the Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae method for biofuel….
Researchers studying the effects of climate change on coral reefs at One Tree Island found that sea cucumbers play a vital role in reducing the…
A team of researchers comprised of climate modelers, marine conservationists, ocean chemists, biologists, and ecologists published their recent research into ocean acidity in the January…
The National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program stated a decrease in acid rain in a report that was presented to Congress. The report states that sulfur…
Many have thought for years that trees are to blame for acid rain — now we have evidence that backs it up. Up to half…