HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa study showed there will be unseen levels of ocean acidification around the Hawaiian Islands.
The acidification process happens as the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This endangers our coral reefs and other marine organisms.
“The results show the potential conditions of acidification that corals may experience; however, the extremity of the conditions varies based on the climate scenario that the world follows,” said Brain Powell, UH Mānoa Professor.
Researchers remain optimistic, for some organisms have shown signs of adapting to previous changing waters.
“In the best case, corals will be impacted, but it could be manageable,” said Powell. “This study is a big first step to examine the totality of changes that will impact corals and other marine organisms and how it varies around the islands.”
These studies are significant to researchers, conservationists, and policymakers to help them understand how to preserve these vital ecosystems for generations to come.