Oxygen-producing ocean algae at risk from ocean acidification

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-05-26 01:00

Australia; International; TAS

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The oxygen-producing ocean algae known as phytoplankton may be at risk of a global decline of 13 - 26 per cent by the year 2200 as ocean acidification increases, according to Aussie research. The team found that increasing the acidity of the oceans causes the silica particles in the ocean, such as the ones that surround phytoplankton, to dissolve slower. The team say that this will result in more silica being dragged to the bottom of the ocean, and the availability of silica in the upper layer of the ocean will drop, reducing the ability of new phytoplankton to build their protective silica shells.