Forecasting impacts of ocean acidification on marine communities: Utilizing volcanic CO2 vents as natural laboratories

Abstract

Oceans have absorbed approximately 30% of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, causing a phenomenon known as 'ocean acidification'. With surface ocean pH changing at a rapid pace, continued uptake of CO₂ is expected to decrease ocean pH by 0.3 pH units as early as 2081, accompanied by a decrease in the saturation of calcium carbonate minerals needed to produce skeletons and shells (RCP 8.5 scenario, IPCC 2019). Natural marine CO₂ vent systems provide ocean acidification proxies, offering a glimpse into what a future ocean may look like.