The release of sulfur and nitrogen into the atmosphere by power plants and agricultural activities–commonly referred to as acid rain–plays a minor role in making the ocean more acidic on a global scale, but the impact is greatly amplified in the shallower waters of the coastal oceans, according to new research.

The most heavily affected areas tend to be downwind of power plants (particularly coal-fired plants) and predominantly on the eastern edges of North America, Europe, and south and east of Asia.

The findings were published this week in the online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Ocean acidification occurs when chemical compounds such as carbon dioxide, sulfur or nitrogen mix with seawater, a process which lowers the pH and reduces the storage of carbon. It hampers the ability of marine organisms–such as sea urchins, corals and certain types of plankton–to harness calcium carbonate for making hard outer shells or exoskeletons. These organisms provide essential food and habitat to other species, so their demise could affect entire ocean ecosystems.

Continue reading More Reasons To Stop Burning Coal – Near Shore Ocean Acidification →