Carbon-rich waters are becoming even more acidic as atmospheric CO2 levels rise – Alaska Native News

Report on Accelerated Ocean Acidification in the Northeastern Pacific and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that the Northeastern Pacific Ocean is acidifying at an accelerated rate, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems. This phenomenon directly challenges the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The research underscores the amplified impact of anthropogenic carbon dioxide on marine environments that are already naturally high in acidity, providing a critical warning for global marine health.

Key Scientific Findings

Historical Analysis via Coral Skeletons

• The study utilized historical and modern samples of orange cup corals, whose skeletons incorporate minerals from seawater, creating a chemical record of past ocean conditions.
• Researchers compared 54 pre-industrial coral samples (collected 1888-1932) with modern specimens from the same locations in the Salish Sea and other North American coastal waters.
• Analysis of boron levels in the coral skeletons allowed for a precise reconstruction of seawater pH and CO2 levels over the past century.

Rate and Magnitude of Acidification

• The data indicates that between 1888 and 2020, CO2 accumulation in these waters occurred faster than in the atmosphere.
• This rapid acidification is attributed to an amplification effect, where anthropogenic CO2 is added to waters that are already naturally CO2-rich due to upwelling processes.
• Notably, the magnitude of acidification was higher at depths of 100 to 200 meters, a region critical for many marine organisms.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14: Life Below Water

The study’s findings are of paramount importance to SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

• Target 14.3: The research directly addresses the goal to “minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification.” It provides conclusive evidence of accelerated acidification in a key marine region, highlighting the urgency for scientific and policy intervention.
• Target 14.2: By demonstrating the threat to calcifying organisms like corals and clams, the study emphasizes the risk to marine and coastal ecosystems. The potential for these waters to become inhospitable to foundational species threatens the sustainable management and protection of these environments.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The report establishes a clear link between human activity and marine degradation, reinforcing the objectives of SDG 13.

• The research confirms that increased atmospheric CO2 from human activities is the primary driver of the observed changes in ocean chemistry.
• It serves as a stark indicator of the far-reaching impacts of climate change, compelling urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as mandated by SDG 13.

Socio-Economic Implications (SDG 8, 11, 12)

The degradation of marine ecosystems has profound consequences for human well-being and economic stability.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) & SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The health of marine ecosystems in regions like the Salish Sea is intrinsically linked to local economies through commercial fishing, tourism, and recreation. The decline of marine life threatens these industries and the cultural fabric of coastal communities.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The study implicitly calls for a shift in production and consumption patterns, noting that high-emission nations have the power to influence outcomes for the oceans by changing their emissions.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Summary of Threats

1. The Northeastern Pacific serves as a critical indicator of future conditions for the global ocean, as its unique chemistry makes it a leading edge for acidification impacts.
2. If current trends continue, the region’s waters could become corrosive to the shells and skeletons of essential marine organisms, leading to ecosystem collapse.
3. The amplification effect identified in the study suggests that future increases in atmospheric CO2 will have a disproportionately severe impact on this and similar upwelling regions.

Call to Action for SDG Achievement

1. A substantial and immediate reduction in global carbon emissions is the most critical action to mitigate ocean acidification and achieve the targets of SDG 13 and SDG 14.
2. Policymakers must use scientific findings like these to implement robust environmental protections and climate policies.
3. Continued monitoring and research in sensitive “bellwether” regions are essential to provide early warnings and inform adaptive management strategies for marine resources.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article’s central theme is ocean acidification and its detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, specifically mentioning “critical marine creatures” like corals and clams. It discusses the changing chemistry of the ocean, the health of marine life, and the need to protect these environments.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article explicitly identifies the root cause of ocean acidification as increased carbon dioxide (CO2) from human activities since the industrial revolution. It links the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to the rapid acidification of the ocean, thereby directly connecting the issue to the broader challenge of climate change and the need for climate action. The call to “change our emissions” reinforces this connection.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article connects the health of marine ecosystems to human well-being by mentioning the Salish Sea, a region with “cultural, commercial and recreational ties to marine organisms.” This highlights how the degradation of the marine environment poses a threat to the sustainability and prosperity of coastal communities that depend on it.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.
   • The entire study detailed in the article is a direct response to this target. Researchers are using advanced scientific methods, such as analyzing coral skeletons, to understand the historical and current rate of ocean acidification. The article states the study “shows how quickly the ocean is acidifying,” which is a critical step in addressing its impacts.
2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • The article’s warning that the “waters bordering North America could soon be inhospitable to critical marine creatures” underscores the urgency of this target. The research provides evidence of the significant adverse impacts of acidification and implicitly calls for better management and protection of these ecosystems to “course correct.”
3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The conclusion that “As very large emitters per capita, we have the power to change our emissions and influence outcomes for the oceans” is a direct call for action that aligns with this target. It implies that reducing CO2 emissions, a key climate change measure, must be integrated into policies to protect the oceans.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Average marine acidity (pH)
   • This is a direct indicator for Target 14.3. The article explicitly mentions that increased CO2 “releases hydrogen and bicarbonate ions, lowering the water’s pH level.” The study’s method of analyzing boron levels in coral skeletons is a way to reconstruct historical pH levels and measure the rate of change in acidity over time.
2. Rate of CO2 accumulation in seawater
   • The article highlights a key finding that “CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere.” This rate serves as a crucial indicator of the severity of ocean acidification in a specific region and can be used to monitor the effectiveness of emission reduction efforts.
3. Concentration of key minerals for calcifying organisms
   • The article states that acidification “depletes key minerals that calcifying organisms, such as corals and clams, need to build their skeletons and shells.” Monitoring the concentration of these minerals (like aragonite and calcite) in seawater is an implied indicator of ecosystem health and the direct impact of acidification on marine life.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: alaska-native-news.com