Oceanic acidification: a comprehensive overview

For the past 200 years environmental carbon dioxide levels have increased at an unprecedented rate, and is attributed increasing combustion of coal, oil, and other fossil fuels. trend persists until the end of the century, many infofmeoV scientists predict that ocean pH will drop and atmospheric CO2 will increase, resulting in irreversible damage to chemistry and marine biota, especially calcifiers such as corals, molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms, although some species will benefit. This book critically examines the available literature on oceanic acidification: including a historical review of pH and atmospheric CO2 levels over the millennia; natural and anthropogenic sources of CO2 to the atmosphere and sea surface; chemical, physical, and biological mode of action; biological effects of acidification to marine plants and animals under laboratory conditions; field observations on seawater chemistry and effects of declining pH; and various technical and political rnitigation strategies. Written by Dr. Ronald Eisler, a noted authority on chemical risk assessment, the book summarizes real and projected effects of oceanic acidification.