Impact of Ocean Acidification on Plankton – A Short Review

Abstract

“Ocean acidification” (OA) is a result of global warming, which describes a long-term drop in the pH of the ocean, mostly due to the ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Plankton, a diverse collection of tiny organisms, are decisive in supporting marine and freshwater food webs living at and beneath the surface of lakes, rivers, ponds, and oceans across the planet. Recently this vital community has been severely affected due to ocean acidification, which has forced it to either die or they are migrating significantly as OA intensifies. This review provides a concise overview of the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) and other environmental factors on plankton communities thereby highlighting the necessity of conducting comprehensive assessments to provide insights into the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.