Image : Ocean Acidification: A Risky Shell Game

Justin Ries, a former postdoctoral scholar at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, grew 18 species of shell-building marine organisms in tanks under air containing different concentrations of carbon dioxide—from the level in today's atmosphere, to higher levels predicted for the future, to extremely high levels. He and colleagues found that not all species responded the same way to higher carbon dioxide levels in seawater and the higher aciditiy it generates. Some species deteriorated, but surprisingly, some thrived. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

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Last updated: February 21, 2012