KCAW - Public Radio in Sitka, Alaska

Ocean acidity threatens Alaska waters

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

Image by www.terradaily.com

High levels of CO2 emissions put marine life, like the pteropod snail at risk of extinction.

SITKA, ALASKA (2008-09-23) The surface layer of the world’s oceans has been acidified by 30% in the last 60 years due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Continued unconstrained CO2 emissions may triple ocean acidity by 2100. That’s according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research scientist Jeff Short, addressing a teleconference sponsored by the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy