Climate change endangers shark teeth: ocean acidification at alarming levels!

Climate change endangers shark teeth: ocean acidification at alarming levels!

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and brings with it a variety of threats. A particularly alarming development is the increasing acidification of the oceans, which is affecting numerous marine life forms. A recently published research result from the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) takes a special look at the effects of this acidification on shark teeth. The study appeared in the scientific journalFrontiers in Marine Scienceand particularly examines the hares of blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus). Loud HHU A higher CO2 concentration in the atmosphere leads to a decreasing pH value of seawater, which can significantly affect the structure of shark teeth.

The research team examined in detail the physical changes in shark teeth at different pH values. While teeth are in a stable condition at a pH value of 8.1, as we experience it today, measurements at an expected pH value of 7.3 in the year 2300 show significant abnormalities. This value corresponds to an almost tenfold increase in acidification. Microscopic examination revealed noticeable surface damage, increased root corrosion, and general structural deterioration of teeth in more acidic water.

Consequences for sharks and their habitat

The results suggest that shark teeth become structurally weaker in more acidic environments, making them more susceptible to fracture. Even though the study only considers shed teeth and therefore does not address the potential repair processes in living sharks, it is alarming how sensitive the species could be to such changes. Moderate pH drops could seriously endanger sensitive species with slow tooth replication cycles.

Ocean acidification isn't just a problem for sharks. This change is one of the key stresses caused by climate change, along with other phenomena such as warming and oxygen depletion, such as Marine Copernicus reported. Human activities such as industrial emissions and the use of fossil fuels have resulted in an immense amount of CO2 being released into the atmosphere over the last 200 years. The oceans absorb about a quarter of anthropogenic CO2, which counteracts global warming effects but is also dangerous for biodiversity.

Long-term effects on the marine ecosystem

Trapped CO2 levels change the chemical composition of seawater. This increase in acidity not only affects sharks, but also calcifying organisms such as corals, mussels and plankton. These changes can directly impact the reproduction and larval development of crustaceans, which in turn threatens overall ocean biodiversity and food chains. The loss of this biodiversity is not only an ecological tragedy, but also threatens the food security and economic stability of many coastal regions.

In summary, HHU's research powerfully shows that man-made ocean acidification has far-reaching consequences for marine life. It is critical to maintain ocean pH near today's average of 8.1 to preserve the health of ecosystems and not threaten the balance of marine food webs.