Ocean Acidification: A Silent Killer of Our Seas

Md Mostafijur Rahman Naeem

Department of Oceanography, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet
📄 View on ResearchGate

What Is Ocean Acidification?

Ocean acidification is the process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution, oceans have absorbed about 30–40% of human-emitted CO₂, leading to a noticeable drop in pH—making seawater less alkaline and more corrosive to marine life.

Why Should We Care?

The shift in pH may sound small, but for marine life, it's like living in a world where the rules have suddenly changed. Acidification threatens:

  • 🐚 Shell-building organisms like corals, oysters, and pteropods

  • 🐟 Fish behavior and reproduction

  • 🌱 Phytoplankton and food chains

  • ⚓ Fisheries and food security for coastal communities

Acidification in the Bay of Bengal: A Ticking Time Bomb

The Bay of Bengal is particularly vulnerable. With high freshwater runoff, nutrient loading, and temperature anomalies, the region is already facing low oxygen zones and acidification hotspots. These conditions stress marine organisms, especially those that depend on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons.

Double Trouble: Plastics and Acidification

Recent work (Naeem, 2025) has highlighted plastic pollution as an additional stressor in the Bay. The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system dumps tons of plastic waste—especially microplastics—into the sea. These tiny fragments:

  • Interfere with marine organisms' ability to build shells

  • Leach toxic chemicals

  • Compound the effects of declining pH levels

Together, plastic and acidification create a toxic synergy that weakens coral reefs, reduces biodiversity, and disrupts fisheries.

What Can Be Done?

To protect our oceans, we must:

✅ Reduce CO₂ emissions globally
✅ Ban or limit single-use plastics
✅ Support ocean-friendly waste management systems
✅ Fund marine research and conservation
✅ Educate communities about ocean health

Final Thoughts

Ocean acidification is invisible, but its impacts are deadly. If we act now, we can safeguard the future of our oceans, our food systems, and the millions of people who depend on them. If we delay, the damage may be irreversible.

📖 References

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