US EditionHow Sharks Could Lose Their Teeth in Rapidly Acidifying Oceans
A study finds ocean acidification doubles damage to shark teeth, including cracks and root corrosion, threatening their hunting efficiency and energy balance, researchers say.
- A peer‑reviewed paper in Frontiers in Marine Science shows ocean acidification can dissolve shark teeth from root to crown, led by Maximilian Baum, biologist at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.
- Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater as carbonic acid, driving a decline in ocean pH and increasing acidity, scientists warn.
- To test the effects, the team collected more than 600 discarded teeth from Blacktip reef sharks in Oberhausen, Germany, and incubated sixteen teeth for eight weeks at seawater pH 8.1 and 7.3, finding acid-exposed teeth developed cracks and root corrosion.
- Even small pH drops could harm shark species that regenerate teeth slowly, and Maximilian Baum warned this may disrupt coral reefs and seaweed areas, risking marine food webs.
- Sharks' continuous tooth replacement may not meet demands in acidic seas, and keeping ocean pH near current levels is vital to avoid extra energetic cost of tooth repair or replacement for predators that depend on durable teeth.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
Podcasts & Opinions
19 Articles
19 Articles
King5 News+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
How sharks could lose their teeth in rapidly acidifying oceans
They're the apex predator of the sea, but changes in ocean acidity could defang the mighty shark.
·Seattle, United States
Read Full Article
The acidification of the oceans could possibly dissolve shark teeth in the future.
·Munich, Germany
Read Full Article
The acidification of the oceans, caused by the increasing absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide, constitutes one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems. As the pH of water decreases, chemical changes are generated that alter the availability of calcium carbonate, an essential component for organisms that form shells, skeletons or hard structures. Among those affected are also sharks, whose teeth are largely composed of mineral material …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Center
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center
13%
C 80%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
