珊瑚生态系统coralreefecosystem研究.docx

The Effect of Ocean Acidification on Coral Reef Ecosystem yapu wang 999619961 Ecosystem and Environment Change November 26, 2014 Abstract Ocean acidification has become the most serious environmental issue, which is mainly caused by increasing CO2. The health of the world’s coral reef ecosystem has been in jeopardy since industry revolution, as the seawater PH levels have been destroyed and the carbonate equilibrium has changed. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate on Climate Change (IPCC) outlined that CO2 levels in the atmospheric should keep at around 800μL/ L, a safe level that could ensure the health of coral reef ecosystems. However, scientists predict that not only may corals be more prone to bleaching from ocean acidification in the future, but this also could influence the lives of coral reef ecosystem. Scientific evidence indicates that the root cause of ocean acidification is increasing pressure from global warming and human activities; other factors are emerging, such as sedimentation and eutrophication. In order to reduce the degree to which ocean acidification influences sea ecosystems, a long-term and systematic monitoring system, including laboratory testing and sea experiments, should be established. At the same time, using physiology and molecular biology techniques, combined with ecology research tools to study coral reef ecosystems on an individual, community, or even a whole ecosystem level, could be used. In addition, improving the adaptive capability of marine organisms is also important in order to be prepared to address the ocean acidification situation in the future. Key words: CO2, global warming, ocean acidification, coral reef ecosystem, calcification rates, coral bleaching. 1. Introduction CO2 concentration in the atmosphere plays a key role on regulating the global climate system and its various ecosystems (Crowley and Berner, 2001). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicated that the figures (As t