Israeli Scientists - Acidifying Oceans May Flatten Coral Reefs - BBC

[hatrack]

"Israeli scientists predict the world's coral reefs could begin to collapse in as little as 30 years from now. Studies show the oceans are becoming increasingly acidic as they soak up manmade emissions of carbon dioxide.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers say this will make it difficult for many coral organisms to produce skeletal and other hard parts. The team's work on corals in the Red Sea suggests a tipping point will be reached in between 30 and 70 years. Then the forces of erosion eating away at corals will outstrip the organisms' ability to make the reefs. If the researchers are right, the economic consequences for nations that rely on coral could be serious. Coral brings tourists, serves as a nursery for fisheries and buffers small island states against the waves.

The Red Sea work conducted by Professor Jonathan Erez and colleagues is awaiting publication. The team has been taking chemical samples of the seawater on the reef at Eilat. These show how much calcium carbonate is being extracted from the ocean and indicate how fast the reef is growing.


EDIT

The Israeli open water study builds on experiments at Columbia University's Biosphere 2 Center, which suggested that coral growth could be reduced by as much as 40% from pre-industrial levels over the next 65 years."

EDIT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4226917.stm