Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in seawater pH caused by the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This process reduces the availability of carbonate ions, making it difficult for corals, mollusks, and plankton to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. From the collapse of Pacific Northwest oyster hatcheries to the degradation of the Great Barrier Reef, the economic and biological impacts are already evident. Polar regions are particularly vulnerable because colder waters absorb CO2 more efficiently, accelerating the acidification process.
