Acid rain significantly harms coral reefs by making their skeletons thinner and weaker.
Understanding the Impact of Acidification on Coral
The increase in acidity in ocean waters, often linked to acid rain and excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, has a direct and detrimental effect on coral. Specifically, it affects how corals form their skeletons.
How Coral Skeletons Are Formed
Corals build their skeletons using a mineral called aragonite. This process involves extracting calcium and carbonate from seawater. This process makes coral skeletons strong and provides the basis for coral reef structures, which are vital for marine biodiversity.
The Impact of Increased Acidity
However, as ocean waters become more acidic, corals find it increasingly difficult to produce aragonite. This reduced ability to create aragonite causes several problems, as revealed by the reference:
- Thinner Skeletons: Research has shown that corals in more acidic waters develop significantly thinner skeletons. This reduces their structural integrity.
- Weakened Reefs: With thinner skeletons, coral reefs are more fragile and more susceptible to damage from storms, waves, and other physical disturbances.
- Continued Upward Growth, Thinner Structures: Corals prioritize growing upwards and therefore are forced to sacrifice skeletal thickness under acidified conditions. This prioritization comes at the expense of the strength of the coral.
- Reduced Overall Growth: The decreased ability to form strong skeletons leads to an overall reduction in coral growth and resilience.
Consequences for the Reef Ecosystem
The consequences of these structural changes in coral skeletons go far beyond just individual corals:
- Loss of Habitat: Weaker reefs provide less shelter and food for the vast array of marine life that depends on coral reefs, leading to a decline in biodiversity.
- Increased Erosion: Thin and fragile coral skeletons are less effective at resisting erosion from currents and wave action.
- Impacts on Coastal Protection: Healthy coral reefs also protect coastlines from waves, but weakened reefs provide less protection.
Example Summary
| Effect of Acid Rain | Result |
|---|---|
| Increased acidity | Difficulty in aragonite production |
| Less aragonite | Thinner coral skeletons |
| Thinner skeletons | Fragile reefs, reduced habitat |
What Can Be Done?
While the primary cause of ocean acidification is atmospheric carbon dioxide, which requires global solutions, reducing local pollutants that contribute to acid rain, and managing runoff are crucial. Solutions include:
- Reducing Carbon Emissions: Through actions such as transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.
- Improving Local Water Quality: By limiting agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and industrial waste, local water quality can be improved.
- Marine Protected Areas: Establishing marine reserves to help coral reefs recover and increase their resilience to other stressors.
In summary, acid rain contributes to the broader issue of ocean acidification, which significantly reduces the ability of corals to build strong skeletons, leading to weaker and more vulnerable reef ecosystems.
