Since the Industrial Revolution, a silent threat has been invading seas: ocean acidification, a process that is slowly deteriorating the shells of marine life.

Climate change is caused by excess greenhouse gases, which heat up the planet more than usual. Ocean acidification is an aspect of this. Excess carbon in the air gets absorbed into the ocean, where it decreases carbonate ions, which are vital for building and maintaining shells. The structure of clams, corals, and oysters deteriorates without sufficient carbonate ions.

“I didn’t know about it before we learned about it in class this year,” said Alex Bitton (9). Sofia Fusco (9) agreed.

Fusco also said she wasn’t aware she contributed to ocean acidification daily, despite commonly using a conventional car for transportation.

Both Bitton and Fusco said they had collected shells at a beach before, an activity that will be a challenge by year 2100.

A possible way to reverse ocean acidification is by mass implementing blue carbon. When above-ground plants trap carbon during photosynthesis, it’s referred to as green carbon. When the process is done by aquatic plants, it’s called blue carbon. The Smith Cove Blue Carbon Pilot Project is an example of how blue carbon could be used on a larger scale. Of course, this would only counteract excess carbon. To fully reverse ocean acidification, the root of the issue, climate change, would need to be dealt with.

In short, ocean acidification is a less well-known aspect of climate change that deeply affects the ecosystem and isn’t discussed nearly as much as it should be.