Ocean Acidity Is Responsible for Oysters' High Mortality Rate

Rising levels of CO2 emissions trigger the acidification of oceans, a process that is putting the fate of oysters in great danger in every part of the Globe. Scientists are now able to correlate high acidity with the large number of deaths among oyster larvae in the Pacific Northwest.

Furthermore, biologists state that this is just the beginning of a new chapter hosting dramatic changes. They wait for things to get worse, as the level of greenhouse gas emissions is expected to reach even higher rates in the near future, reports Yale Environment 360.

Oysters might become a delicacy, as the ocean is no longer a welcoming habitat. Its increased acidity stops marine creatures like shellfish, sea urchins and corals from forming calcium-based structures, necessary in their stages of development.

Once their balance is disrupted, they try to adapt to the new conditions, but experts say only a few species can efficiently cope with the harmful phenomenon caused by carbon dioxide emissions.

In only two years, from 2006 to 2008, the present context made most of the hatchery owners think about a new line of business, as their profit margins have substantially decreased.

Some of them talk about astonishing losses, of up to 80%. After spending thousands of dollars on clearing out pathogens, the owners realized they are dealing with a much more powerful threat.

Corrosive waters are the ones to blame and scientists try to draw out pertinent exit strategies for this dramatic situation. The fate of these creatures have a massive impact upon the entire ecosystem.

Furthermore, their wellbeing is influencing the profit of the entire food industry. According to major players on the market, the whole oyster industry is evaluated at $73 million every year, only along the US Pacific coast.

Even more important appears to be the impact upon the local economies, as the West Coast oyster industry hires up to 3,000 people and contributes with about $207 million, a considerable profit recorded in the past by coastal communities.

Taking into consideration that currently the oceans capture up to 50% of the CO2 emissions resulted from fossil fuel-burning processes, the situation is far from improving, as human intervention continues to threaten the fate of marine creatures.

Experts from NOAA state that the oceans' level of acidity has increased by up to 30% since the Industrial Revolution. Unless visible changes are encouraged, we might witness a continued, ridiculous growth of up to 150%.

Since the threat is real and noticeable, biologists put all their hopes in the industry's capacity to adapt to the current challenges, or else marine ecosystems will most likely have to say goodbye to biodiversity.