2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Title

What Effect Does Ocean Acidification and Coral Bleaching Have on Developing Nations?

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-21-2023

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Mari Rice

Abstract

Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will have a severe impact on marine animals utilized for food and livelihoods, as well as coastal communities, particularly in developing countries. Poor coastal communities, particularly those in small island governments that rely on coral reefs and fisheries for survival, will face the brunt of this transformation. These people rely heavily on sea resources for food and livelihood, but they have few choices for mitigating the effects of ocean acidification if their current lifestyles become unsustainable. Coral reefs and shellfish, both key food sources, would be severely impacted, with increasing acidity levels anticipated to prevent all new reef development by the end of the century. When the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, part of it gets absorbed by the seas and transformed into acidic substances, a process known as ocean acidification. According to the analysis, the acidity of the world's oceans might climb by 170 percent by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial emission levels. According to the analysis, this will result in significant economic losses. Continuous emissions of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere are sure to cause massive changes in terrestrial ecosystems, as well as impact marine animals utilized for food and have a knock-on effect on coastal communities, particularly in developing nations.

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