One environmental issue impacting the marine biome is ocean acidification. This phenomenon is caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the oceans, leading to a decrease in the pH levels of seawater. Ocean acidification can have detrimental effects on marine life, particularly on organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as coral reefs, shellfish, and some species of plankton. This can disrupt the marine food chain and ecosystem, with far-reaching consequences for both marine animals and humans who rely on the ocean for food and livelihoods. Efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of ocean acidification are crucial to preserving the health and biodiversity of the marine biome.
