Rising Ocean Acidity Threatens Shark Teeth with Decay

Quick Summary

• Shark teeth, while strong and efficient, are vulnerable too damage in acidic water caused by ocean acidification.
• A new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science shows shark teeth degrade and become brittle when exposed to pH levels projected for teh ocean by 2300.
• Ocean acidity has increased by 30% since the Industrial Revolution due to human-driven CO2 emissions. by 2300, ocean pH is expected to drop from 8.1 to 7.3-making it nearly ten times more acidic.
• The study used Blacktip reef shark teeth incubated at two different pH levels (8.2 and 7.3) for eight weeks:

– Teeth exposed to a lower pH of 7.3 displayed cracks, holes, root corrosion, and structural degradation compared to those kept at a normal pH of 8.2.
– Replacing damaged teeth could require higher energy costs for sharks living in acidic waters.

• Researchers emphasized that maintaining current average marine pH (around 8.1) is essential for preserving predators’ tools like shark teeth.

Read More: Shark Teeth May Start To Decay As Ocean water Becomes Increasingly Acidic

Indian opinion Analysis

The findings from this study underline broader implications of climate change on global ecosystems and biodiversity-issues increasingly relevant for India as it navigates its commitments toward sustainable development goals under international frameworks like the Paris Agreement.

For India specifically:

1. Marine Biodiversity impact: With India’s extensive coastline hosting rich marine diversity-including regions near coral reefs-the degradation of apex predator species such as sharks could disrupt food chains leading to cascading effects on fish populations vital for local livelihoods.

1. Policy Relevance: India’s focus on mitigating carbon emissions aligns with addressing such ecological challenges; however, further efforts might be needed toward promoting measures against rising ocean acidity through integrated coastal management frameworks.

While this research focuses globally on environmental shifts over centuries-long timelines, engaging with preventive strategies today ensures resilience not only for endangered species but also for coastal and fishing-dependent communities around India.