New Jersey Ocean Acidification Charge Question
Date
2015-08-12
Date Removed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research
Abstract
The increasing use of fossil fuels since the start of the Industrial Revolution has increased the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, some of which dissolves in the oceans. Carbon
dioxide dissolved in the ocean forms carbonic acid, which releases H+ ions causing the water to
become more acidic. Ocean acidification (OA) is occurring very rapidly. Adverse effects on shell
formation are seen in calcifying animals such as corals and shellfish. Harmful effects are also seen in the development and behavior of many species unrelated to effects on shell formation. Since effects on developing oysters have already been seen on the West Coast, commercial
shellfisheries in New Jersey and all along the eastern seaboard are at risk. While the long term solution is reducing global emissions of CO2, other localized approaches may be possible when
we include coastal and estuarine waters within the scope of OA Since excess nitrogen and
phosphorus in coastal waters and estuaries (eutrophication) also contributes to elevated CO2
levels and acidification, (as well as reduced oxygen) in deeper waters as algal blooms undergo
decay, it is possible to mitigate local coastal acidification by reducing effluents and runoff of nutrients from land-based sources.
Description
Keywords
New Jersey, Ocean acidification - Environmental aspects
Citation
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