The Ocean in a High CO2 World
The ocean provides a valuable ecosystem service for climate by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, thus reducing its impact on climate.  However, this valuable service comes at a steep ecological cost - the acidification of the ocean.  How marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and fisheries will respond to the current rapid acidification is unknown.  The IOC and the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) initiated a symposium series in 2004 to periodically assess what is known about ocean acidification and to provide sound, unbiased scientific information to decision-makers and the general public.  The symposium results are compiled in a special issue of the scientific journal, The Journal of Geophysical Research.  The next assessment is scheduled for 2008.

UNESCO Sector:  Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Responsible Staff:  Maria Hood
More information: www.ocean-acidification.net