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Witness to ocean acidification
1Department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Calcareous marine plankton are key indicators of ocean acidification. Their shells and skeletons reflect changes in ocean chemistry, providing insights into past and present conditions.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Paleoceanography
- Oceanography
Background:
- Ocean acidification is a significant threat to marine ecosystems.
- Calcareous plankton form the base of many marine food webs.
- Understanding their response to changing ocean chemistry is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of calcareous marine plankton as indicators of ocean acidification.
- To correlate plankton shell/skeleton characteristics with historical and current ocean pH levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of calcareous plankton fossil records.
- Microscopic examination of plankton microstructures.
- Geochemical analysis of plankton shells/skeletons.
- Comparison with existing oceanographic data.
Main Results:
- Specific changes in calcareous plankton morphology and geochemistry correlate with known acidification events.
- Planktonic foraminifera and coccolithophores show measurable responses to pH fluctuations.
- Data suggests a reliable proxy for past ocean pH.
Conclusions:
- Calcareous marine plankton serve as valuable bioindicators for monitoring ocean acidification.
- Their preserved remains offer a historical record of ocean chemistry changes.
- Continued monitoring of these organisms is essential for understanding future ocean conditions.
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