Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
7879458
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
The Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems and Reliant Human Communities
Author(s)
Doney, SC; Busch, DS; Cooley, SR; Kroeker, KJ
Year
2020
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Annual Review of Environment and Resources
ISSN:
1543-5938
EISSN:
1545-2050
Book Title
Annual Review of Environment and Resources
Volume
45
Page Numbers
83-112
DOI
10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083019
Web of Science Id
WOS:000590409700004
Abstract
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, along with agriculture and land-use practices are causing wholesale increases in seawater CO2 and inorganic carbon levels; reductions in pH; and alterations in acid-base chemistry of estuarine, coastal, and surface open-ocean waters. On the basis of laboratory experiments and field studies of naturally elevated CO2 marine environments, widespread biological impacts of human-driven ocean acidification have been posited, ranging from changes in organism physiology and population dynamics to altered communities and ecosystems. Acidification, in conjunction with other climate change-related environmental stresses, particularly under future climate change and further elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, potentially puts at risk many of the valuable ecosystem services that the ocean provides to society, such as fisheries, aquaculture, and shoreline protection. This review emphasizes both current scientific understanding and knowledge gaps, highlighting directions for future research and recognizing the information needs of policymakers and stakeholders.
Keywords
carbon dioxide; ocean acidification; organism responses; marine ecosystems; natural resources; social-ecological systems
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity