Acidity levels in Puget Sound may be lethal to some organisms

[n2doc]

By FIONA COHEN
SPECIAL TO SEATTLEPI.COM

The acidity has risen so much in parts of Puget Sound that it has become lethal to shellfish larvae, report scientists from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Washington.

Much of the acidification -- an estimated 24-49 percent -- is the result of the ocean absorbing increased carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Most of the ocean has changed (the pH has decreased from a preindustrial 8.2 to 8.1, a 30 percent increase in acidity), and in spots such as Puget Sound the general increase in acidity combines with natural processes to create more extreme conditions.

The scientists found pHs of 7.4 in southern Hood Canal and 7.7 in the main basin, said Richard Feely, director of the Ocean Acidification Program at NOAA's Pacific Marine Laboratory.

(pH levels are used to measure the acidity levels of water. The lower the level, the more acidic the water.)

"These pHs were not expected and they were certainly lower than anything we have seen in the open ocean and they are certainly corrosive."

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http://www.seattlepi.com/local/423250_sound12.html

[hatrack]

1. Oops!

Good thing no one could have forseen this, huh?

[n2doc]

2. Kinda sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Someday in this century, the only clam or oyster one gets in a store/restaurant will be one grown in a pH and oxygen controlled farm, at 10x or more expense. At least the rich will still have their "oysters rockefeller"