Ocean acidification is irreversible even if geoengineering was adapted as a last resort. (Photo : Wikipedia)
In the attempt to solve worldwide global warming and climate change, efforts and solutions to completely remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere even if fossil fuels still continue to burn will be likely ineffective in preventing oceans from dying due to the extreme buildup of acidity, according to a new study.
Scientists and other experts have already suggested a plan B where if upcoming climate talks fail to prevent the further onslaught of climate change and uncontrolled fossil fuel burning, technology via geoengineering will be used to remove carbon dioxide that is apparently not yet developed.
However, this new study conducted by scientists from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Germany reveals that even if an effective method is developed to completely remove excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, this unfortunately, will still cannot stop how oceans become acidic over time due to the process of carbon dioxide dissolving into the form of carbonic acid.
The increase of ocean acidity has already damaged coral reefs and several types of micro organisms that are crucial to the marine food chain that leads to potentially devastating impacts on humans.
According to lead author of the study Sabine Mathesius from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research , geoengineering methods are now being debated by scientists as a last solution to avoid the dangers of climate change when policy makers cannot find an agreement to cut carbon dioxide emissions or delay the transformation of energy systems.
Mathesius adds that when we look for the ocean for solutions, this approach often carries greater risks even if the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be later reduced to pre-industrial concentrations. Despite geoengineering efforts, the acidity found in the oceans will still become four times higher even before pre-industrial levels. In order to get the right balance of the ocean with the atmosphere, this process can take many centuries to reset.
This new study is published in the journal, Nature Climate Change.
