This past March 18th, a new study was published by the Carnegie Institute concerning ocean acidification and how it affects marine organisms overnight.  Acidification refers to the effects from carbon dioxide emissions created by cars and power plants that is absorbed by the ocean. As a result, organisms are affected by the change of acidic balance which have the capacity to dissolve several organisms.

Researchers used measurements made in tide pools which are set off from the open ocean in low periods that are separated from larger wave action. Acidification happens during the night as plants use a photosynthesis-like method during the day that acts as a counteraction to the process.

During nights is when the process begins as organisms respire and with the excess of CO2 the risk of calcification creatures increases. One of the many pools where the research was conducted was the UCDavis Bodega Marine Laboratory located in California. Discoveries showed the results of the difference between acidification during the day versus the night. Acidification grew tremendously during the night time to the point of dissolving outer layers on organisms. As explained by Lester Kwiatkowski, the study’s lead author, “This work highlights that even in today’s temperate coastal oceans, calcifying species, such as mussels and coralline algae, can dissolve during the night due to the more-acidic conditions caused by community respiration.”

Unfortunately, the situation is likely to progress as researchers predict that by 2050 dissolution will increase by double during nighttime.

Arnold, Catherine. “Ocean Acidification Affects Marine Creatures At Night, Study Says.” Headlines Global News RSS. N.p., 19 Mar. 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.