As the seas soak up the CO2 we've pumped into the atmosphere, they're becoming more and more acidic. We've know this for a while now, but the consequences for the creatures that live beneath the waves are only now becoming clear.A study just out has found that baby clownfish can't sniff out suitable habitats or identify their parents in acidic waters. This could be devastating for a whole range of fish species, say the researchers.
In a similar study published in November, scientists found that Humboldt squid are much lazier in acidic oceans and so far more likely to be munched by a sperm whale.
I wonder whether fish and squid will evolve to cope with acid seawater. There certainly seems to be strong selection pressure in favour of any that can function at low pH.
Image: Sprain
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Although it's looking bleak for fish and squid, scientists are most worried about sea creatures that use calcium in the water to build shells and skeletons - things like oyster, mussels, plankton and corals. They can't do this so well if the water is acidic, so entire ecosystems could potentially be wiped out.
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