Ocean Food Chain in Peril: Sea Butterflies at Risk
Global Warming Endangers Ocean Food Chain
Global warming continues to endanger not only the land but also the ocean and its creatures. According to British scientists, the food chain of ocean creatures is under threat due to the increasing acidity of the water caused by carbon dioxide in the air.
Shellfish are among the species at risk, as they cannot survive in highly acidic water. Scientists have also found out that microscopic crustaceans, which are important in the food chain, are also severely affected by this condition. In fact, sea butterflies, which are an essential part of the diet of fish and other sea creatures, are now at risk.
Water samples taken from a depth of 400 meters in the South Sea have shown that the life cycle of sea butterflies has been disrupted. The creatures’ shells have melted, making them unable to survive, particularly during summer months. Sea butterflies are relatively small and live in the surface layers of the oceans.
The problem of acidity used to be limited to a depth of 1000 meters. But due to greenhouse gases and global warming, this has now decreased to 200 meters, making the situation even more concerning.
The effects of global warming and ocean acidity can have a significant impact on the ocean’s food chain, the fishing industry, and ultimately human health and well-being. It is essential to reduce carbon emissions and protect our ocean’s creatures to prevent further damage to the environment and the food chain.
