Rising carbon dioxide levels are altering seawater chemistry and marine life growth

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A review of ocean chemistry found that rising atmospheric carbon dioxide, primarily from burning fossil fuels, is causing a significant drop in ocean pH. This process, known as ocean acidification, shifts the chemical balance of seawater, making it harder for many marine organisms to build shells and skeletons.

The study highlights how these chemical changes reduce the saturation states of calcium carbonate. This specifically impacts a wide range of life, from microscopic plankton to corals and molluscs. While some photosynthetic organisms might see increased carbon fixation rates, many calcifying species show reduced growth in laboratory settings.

This review synthesizes field data and experimental results to underscore the accelerating pace of acidification. However, it notes that because current changes are happening so rapidly, past geological events may not be perfect models for predicting future ecosystem impacts or how well species might adapt.

Why it matters: Ocean acidification creates a challenging chemical environment that threatens the survival of many shell-building marine species.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Ocean acidification negatively impacts a wide range of marine life
• Ocean acidification threatens marine life by altering seawater chemistry and skeletal formation
• The ocean's pH is dropping, and it is not a slow process.
• The ocean is absorbing our carbon emissions, but the chemical cost is rising rapidly
• The invisible chemistry of ocean acidification is dissolving the foundations of marine life
• Rising global population and pollution are intensifying the world's freshwater scarcity
• Rapid genome changes and gene co-option help explain the evolution of seeds
• Rising nitrogen levels drive nutrient imbalances and oxygen loss in coastal ecosystems
• Breaking down plastic waste chemically can halve its climate impact versus burning it
• Rising ocean temperatures may increase global populations of key marine bacteria
• Predicting floods and droughts requires overcoming complex modeling and data challenges
• Rising sea temperatures may cause annual coral bleaching events within decades

More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics