Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Arctic ocean's acidity increasing 4 times faster: Report

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Oct 2022 15:04
3 Min Read

Another study a month earlier has shown that the temperature of the ocean was also increasing rapidly and four times as well.

  • x
  • Polar bears on a block of melting ice in the Arctic (CUNY.edu)
    Polar bears on a block of melting ice in the Arctic (CUNY.edu)

Researchers from the Polar and Marine Research Institute at Jimei University in China and the School of Marine Science and Policy at the University of Delaware in the US have discovered that acidification of the western Arctic Ocean is occurring three to four times faster than in other ocean basins - causing a large and rapid loss of the sea ice in the region over the past three decades. 

Due to the increased use of fossil fuels, the ocean, which is responsible for absorbing a third of CO2 in the atmosphere, has witnessed a staggering level of acidity, leading the seawater to be exposed to the atmosphere and thus a faster rate of carbon dioxide takeup. 

Wei-Jun Cai, one of the authors of the study and a marine chemistry expert at the University of Delaware, stated that “in other ocean systems, acidification is being driven by an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is increasing at a rate of around 2ppm [parts per million] per year."

The process could even escalate in the upcoming decades if ice in the sea continues to melt in the Arctic. “The ice melt dilutes or lowers the alkalinity of the seawater. This dilutes the buffering capacity of the water, its ability to resist acidification,” Cai said.

Related News

Macron tells US scientists to 'choose France' amid research crackdown

Swedish institute loses decades of research after sample fridge breaks

The research comes after a separate study was released in August, regarding the warming of the Arctic, found to have happened at about four times the global average rate over the past 43 years in a process called Arctic amplification, which comprises a feedback process fueled by melting sea ice, just like the rapid acidification taking place. When data collected from the Arctic between 1994 and 2020 was compared by the researchers with other ocean basins, they deduced that the Arctic was witnessing the fastest rate of acidification. 

Read more: Climate endgame: Human extinction is inevitable

Cai refers to previous research that demonstrates the threat ocean acidification poses to coral reefs as an example of the 'huge implications' created by altered seawater chemistry, adding, “In lower latitudes, you have coral reefs and if you add carbon dioxide to the water, the carbon saturation rate will increase and the coral won’t grow,” such that acidification reduces the carbonate ions required to build coral skeletons.

Earlier this month, a study by the World Meteorological Organization showed that the world's oceans absorb more than 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases, tying ocean warming to extreme weather and climate events, as the global average sea level rose to a record high for the 10th consecutive year.

Lower PH levels of seawater could potentially and eventually affect other systems and make some metals more toxic, according to Cai, who also commented, “We are far from knowing what the cost is for biological systems. We don’t know what organisms could be affected. This is something the biological community needs to look into.” 

Scientists have revealed that some parts of the Mediterranean are this year more than 6°C warmer than usual in comparison with previous years, which sparks fears that the sea's fragile ecosystems are suffering what can be called a "marine wildfire" and being changed forever by global warming.

  • research
  • global warming
  • acidification
  • Climate crisis
  • China
  • Arctic sea
STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS