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News Release 12-041

Oceans Acidifying Faster Today Than in Past 300 Million Years

Few parallels for today's rapid ocean changes in geologic record

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a coral reef with large numbers of fish swimming above the coral.

Oceans may be acidifying faster today than in the last 300 million years.

Credit: NOAA


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a diver swimming above a coral reef.

Marine scientists study how corals and other species respond to more acid seas.

Credit: NSF Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research Site


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a fan coral.

The common sea fan is but one of the species being affected by acidifying oceans.

Credit: NOAA


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a clownfish on anemone.

Corals form the backbone of a reef ecosystem that supports many other creatures.

Credit: NSF Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research Site


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Acropora coral.

Coral reefs in the tropics and beyond are threatened by acidifying oceans.

Credit: NOAA


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coral reef that rings the island of M'oorea.

Beautiful coral reefs that ring the island of M'oorea are affected by acidifying ocean waters.

Credit: NSF Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research Site


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Cover of the March 2, 2012 issue of the journal Science.

The researchers' work is described in the March 2, 2012 issue of the journal Science.

Credit: Copyright AAAS 2012


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