International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 14-20 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 14 Research Article Open Access The Physiological and Ecological Effects between Ocean Acidification and Coral Reefs JinniWu 1, Xiaoying Xu1, LimeiWu 2 1 Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, China 2 Zhuji Zhicheng Trading Co., Ltd, Zhuji, 311800, China Corresponding author email: 987532501@qq.com International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.1, doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0003 Received: 05 Dec., 2023 Accepted: 10 Jan., 2024 Published: 20 Feb., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wu et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wu J.N., Xu X.Y., and Wu L.M., 2024, The physiological and ecological effects between ocean acidification and coral reefs, International Journal of Marine Science, 14(1): 14-20 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0003) Abstract In recent decades, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has continued to rise, leading to global changes such as global warming and ocean acidification. The CO2 in the atmosphere is dissolved in the ocean through water gas exchange to achieve water gas balance. The continuously increasing CO2 concentration changes the marine hydrochemical system, especially breaking the original carbonate equilibrium system, reducing the pH value, carbonate ion concentration, and calcium carbonate saturation in seawater, leading to ocean acidification. A normal seawater hydrochloric acid system can promote the biological activity of coral reef ecosystems, while ocean acidification not only leads to a decrease in the calcification rate of calcified organisms in coral reef systems, but also leads to dissolution phenomena in coral reef systems. This review analyzes the phenomenon of ocean acidification, understands the ecological effects of coral reef systems in the process of ocean acidification, proposes corresponding protection measures, and hopes to strengthen the protection of the ocean and coral reef systems globally. Keywords Ocean acidification; Coral reefs; Ecological effect Coral reefs are one of the most precious and fragile ecosystems on Earth, known as the tropical rainforests of the ocean. They are composed of the calcareous skeletons of coral animals and the symbiotic microphytes (known as symbiotic algae). These wonderful underwater structures are not only beautiful natural landscapes, but also carry rich biodiversity and ecological functions. Coral reef ecosystems have enormous value for both humans and the Earth's environment. They are important fishing resources that provide food and economic resources for millions of people. Many fishing activities, such as fishing, aquaculture, and tourism, rely on the health and abundance of coral reefs; Coral reefs play an important protective role in mitigating coastal erosion and preventing natural disasters such as storm surges and waves from damaging coastal areas; In addition, coral reefs provide habitats and breeding grounds for many organisms, maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems (Figure 1). Figure 1 Ecological environment of submarine coral reefs
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==