Acid test for the seas
Further reading
August 2010
The Science of Climate change: Questions and Answers.
A document produced by the Australian Academy of Science that aims to summarise and clarify the current understanding of the science of climate change for non-specialist readers.
September 2008, page 15
Corals take up acid
Reports on a study showing coral tissues are twice as acidic as previous estimates.
June 2008, page 10
Fish getting lost as oceans acidify
Proposes that ocean acidification may be affecting the sense of direction of fish.
May 2008, pages 31-33
The acid test (by Stephen Luntz)
Looks at the effect of ocean acidification on coral reefs.
November/December 2007, page 14
Iron seeding may not sink CO2
Looks into the idea of seeding the oceans with iron to combat global warming.
Issue 10, 2006, pages 26-27
Ocean acidification: A newly recognised threat
Provides background information on ocean acidification.
12 November 2009
Ocean acidification impacts coastal rivers (by Holly Hight)
Looks at impact of ocean acidification on coastal ecosystems.
12 November 2008
Southern Ocean dangerously acidic (by Octavia Cade)
Reports that ocean acidification may reach a tipping point by as soon as 2030.
December 2008/January 2009, pages 77-83
Oceans of acid (by John Pickrell)
Explains the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms.
23 October 2007
Oceans losing ability to absorb carbon
Reports on study which shows a drop in the absorption of atmospheric CO2 by the world's oceans.
Climate change: Mitigation – carbon capture and storage
Provides information on ecosystems that sequester carbon and act as carbon sinks.
No. 147, 2009, page 5
Unprecedented slowdown in coral growth
Reports on the effects of ocean acidification and warming on coral growth in the Great Barrier Reef.
No. 141, 2008, page 7
Concerns raised about ocean fertilisation for carbon credits
Highlights concerns raised over fertilising oceans to remove carbon dioxide.
3 June 2008
UN decision puts brakes on ocean fertilization (by Jeff Tollefson)
Reports on an agreement preventing major ocean fertilization projects until scientists understand the impacts.
2 February 2009
Acid oceans no laughing matter for clownfish (by Rachel Nowak)
Describes the effects of ocean acidification on clown fish.
5 September 2008
Climate change could stop corals fixing themselves (by Devin Powell)
Claims that coral populations living in waters low on calcium carbonate due to ocean acidification are less able to repair damage.
June 2008
Acidic 'champagne sea' nothing to celebrate for corals (by Catherine Brahic)
Describes the effect of reduced pH on oceanic life.
14 June 2008, page 7
Is ocean seeding dead in the water? (by Michael Reilly)
Reports that ocean seeding could increase levels of a toxic acid.
14 May 2008, page 16
A sprinkle of limestone could help oceans absorb CO2 (by Kate Ravilious)
Describes a strategy for reducing ocean acidification.
3 October 2007
Chemical 'sponge' could filter CO2 from the air (by Catherine Brahic)
Explores a way of extracting CO2 from the atmosphere using a simple chemical process.
29 September 2007, page 4
Gaia scientist endorses plan to halt climate change
Reports on the concept of pumping nutrient rich deep water from the oceans as a potential cure for global warming.
12 September 2007, pages 42-45
Can 'fertilising ' the ocean combat climate change? (by Emma Young)
Discusses the use of iron seeding of the oceans to combat climate change.
5 September 2007, page 22
Oceans not safe from safe rain
Reports on the impact of acid rain on the oceans.
22 August 2007, page 16
Fossil-fuel hangover may block ice ages (by Fred Pearce)
Investigates the suggestion that emissions from the burning of fossil fuels may prevent the onset of the next ice age.
16 May 2007
Climate myths: It's been far warmer in the past, what's the big deal? (by David Chandler)
Looks at the significance of the warmer periods in the Earth's history.
12 February 2007
CO2 being pushed deep into the oceans (by Catherine Brahic)
Reports on findings indicating that atmospheric carbon dioxide is being pushed deeper into the oceans.
6 December 2006
Warming oceans produce less phytoplankton (by Catherine Brahic)
Reports on study showing a persistent decrease in phytoplankton as the Earth's oceans warm up.
5 August 2006, pages 28-33
Ocean acidification: The other CO2 problem (by Caspar Henderson)
Provides a general overview to ocean acidification.
9 July 2005, page 15
Sea life in peril as oceans turn acid (by Rowan Hooper)
Reports on conclusion from the first review of studies on the effects of ocean acidification.
30 June 2005
Marine crisis looms over acidifying oceans (by Rowan Hooper)
Looks at the effects of increasing acidification of the oceans on marine life and possible ways of neutralising the acidity.
18 June 2005, page 19
Ancient glimpse of seas' bleak future (by Jeff Hecht)
Reveals the emission of gigatonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere 55 million years ago led to rapid global warming.
16 February 2002, page 16
Don't rely on plankton to save the planet (by Nicola Jones)
Reports on model which shows applying iron to the ocean would be an inefficient method of removing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
17 October 2007
Acid oceans threaten corals
Looks at the threat to corals as the world's oceans become more acidic.
18 May 2007
Climate change weakens carbon sink
Reports on evidence of the Southern Ocean carbon sink weakening as a result of climate change.
6 April 2007
Reef 'at risk in climate change'
Explores the risks to the Great Barrier Reef from climate change.
30 August 2006
Anemic phytoplankton absorb less carbon than thought
Presents results from study which showed phytoplankton in the Pacific Ocean have low iron levels and soak up less CO2.
March 2006, pages 38-45
The dangers of ocean acidification (by Scott Doney)
Investigates the repercussions of ocean acidification on marine life.
Page updated January 2010.