Animals that produce calcium carbonate formation must use additional energy to repair their damaged shells or strengthen them to survive. Using this energy can affect the ability of animals to grow and reproduce.
Animals that are able to survive and reproduce in more acidic
waters may be smaller, having an impact on the food they depend
on.
Many marine materials that produce calcium carbonate shells or
bones are adversely affected by increasing CO2 levels and
decreasing pH in seawater.
These research results suggest that ocean acidization can
significantly affect the ability of coral reefs to be
disrupted.
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