Greenhouse Effect, Carbon Dioxide, and the ‘Death’ of Oceans

‘Global warming is largely irreversible for the coming 1000 years even if the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are stopped at once.’ This conclusion of a recent study at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA, can potentially dampen the proactive spirit of environmental remediation by eco-friendly individuals and groups. But then, we need to ask, ‘what happens if we don’t stop the alarming level of CO2 emissions at once. An unbearably hot planet may be the common answer but at least some of us now know that our marine environment may also become ‘dead’.

A global rise in sea level has long been predicted by researchers investigating the long-term effects of greenhouse emissions and global warming. Lately, over 150 scientists have warned against the threat of the acidification of oceans due to an increased buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere. Since oceans are one of largest natural sinks for CO2, marine waters are more rapidly growing acidic by dissolution of CO2 in ocean waters, forming carbonic acid. In addition, part of the acidification of marine waters comes from precipitation from atmosphere (what we know as ‘acid rains’). Increased acidification of marine waters poses a serious threat to marine life and the food web. In fact, acidification of oceans has already stared to affect colonies of marine organisms, e.g. the coral buildups like the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Another study, published in the journal Nature Geosciences, by Danish scientists predicts the formation of ‘dead zones’ in the oceans – zones devoid of fish and other kinds of marine life – as a result of the acidity of ocean waters. As they think of the effect, these dead zones are likely to be long lasting, retained in the oceans from 1500 to 2000 years. Jens Olaf Pepke Pedersen, a scientist at the Technical University of Denmark, estimates that the formation of these dead zones in oceans is likely to start by the end of this century and, in advance stages, would wipe out a massive population of marine species. Once formed, it will not be easy to easily reverse or remedy these dead zones.

What can be done to save the oceans from death by acidification? Scientists of the above- mentioned studies suggest an immediate and deep cut in the volume of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Accordingly, reduction in fossil fuel emissions is the prerequisite for serious efforts to save the oceans from the horrors of CO2 toxicity. A global check on unbridled industrial activity and increased awareness against the harmful effects of CO2 are also ever more needed now.

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