Oceans’ acidity levels approaching critical levels

Researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) have come to the conclusion that the acidity of the world's oceans may become too high to support marine life and stabilize the climate, reports AFP.

According to a report by PIK, the level of oceans’ acidification is increasing due to the ever-increasing emissions of carbon dioxide.

Acidic water damages corals, shellfish, and the phytoplankton that feeds a host of marine species.

Researchers say this also disrupts food supplies for billions of people who depend on marine resources.

PIK experts cite ocean acidity as one of nine factors critical to the Earth's ability to support life.

Other parameters include carbon dioxide content in the air, freshwater status, soils, biosphere, ozone layer, biochemical cycles, and atmospheric aerosols.

Researchers noted that the least concern today is the ozone layer, which has been gradually recovering since the late 1980s.