Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Your CO2 killed my oysters

Human CO2 is killing oysters on the US west coast. It's the early stages of our CO2 assault on the ocean.

CO2 makes carbonic acid in water. Since we're responsible for the excess CO2 in the air, then there is absolutely no debate about the human causes of the ocean acid monster.

Here's an interesting and scary article about how oyster growers on the west coast have been hit hard by the ocean acid monster, and how they've responded with a good adaptation strategy. They only take low CO2 water into their oyster tanks. BTW, the strategy works for an oyster farm, but not for wild oysters, they're stuck living in the water no matter how much CO2 it contains.

1 comment:

M Chadsey said...

There will be a fascinating presentation on this topic at Town Hall Seattle, Nov 8th. Featured speakers are Dr. Richard Feely, one of the world OA experts, and former WA congressman Brian Baird, author of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act.
Tickets and info available now at:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/185357