by Kodjo Adadevoh

Created on: February 10, 2010   Last Updated: February 11, 2010

If indeed the predictions about global warming hold true, then the effects of global warming on the oceans could potentially have far reaching consequences. Man's impact on global warming is real; however, scientists are still debating the real impact of man made pollutants versus the earth’s natural cycles of heating and warming and also the capacity of the earth to absorb or adjust to changes in the environment. However, it is true that global temperatures are rising and if this trend continues, the earth and the oceans will be impacted. The more pronounced effects of global warming on the oceans are:

 1. Acidification  

About a quarter of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere as a result of pollution from sources such as cars and factories is absorbed by the oceans. The dissolved carbon dioxide has a significant effect on the chemical balance of the oceans and threatens the marine life that inhabits the oceans.

 Dissolved carbon dioxide gas combines with water in the oceans to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid dissolves the shells of many marine creatures, these creates have shells made of the mineral calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Species that are particularly vulnerable, include, small marine snails called Pteropods, Coral reefs, small coral polyps and a host of planktonic organisms. The effect is far reaching as it affects the critical roles of these species in their ecosystems; these species serve as food sources for other creatures, hence the impact of ocean acidification has the potential to significantly impact other marine life, including fish and marine mammals.

 2. Effects of rising temperatures on ocean life

 A significant amount of the heat released into the atmosphere as a result of greenhouse gases, is absorbed by the oceans. The coral reefs depend on the photosynthetic activity of the algae that live within them. As the ocean temperatures rise and the corals become stressed they eject the algae within them, which leads to bleaching and loss of most of coral’s color. If this situation persists for extended periods, the coral ends up dying.

 Many species affected by rising temperatures will be forced to migrate in order to maintain the optimal conditions for mating, feeding and development of their offspring. People who work in industries that are dependent of fishing will be significantly affected and communities that depend on these industries and the food that is produced

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