OCEAN ACIDIFICATION: IMPACTS ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND GLOBAL CLIMATE

Ocean acidification refers to the ongoing decrease in ocean pH caused by the absorption of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. This process alters carbonate chemistry, threatening calcifying organisms, disrupting food webs, and affecting ecosystem services. Ocean acidification poses significant risks to fisheries, coral reefs, and global climate regulation. This article reviews the causes, biological impacts, and ecological implications of ocean acidification, emphasizing the urgency of mitigation and adaptation strategies to preserve marine ecosystems and associated human livelihoods.