Targeted alkalinization could protect coral reefs

The artificial alkalinization of seawater could protect coral reefs from some of the harm from ocean acidification due to rising carbon dioxide emissions, a study by researchers in Germany has concluded.

The study shows that alkalinization – which could be achieved by distributing lime or other alkaline substances in the ocean – could prevent coral dissolving, although it may have harmful side effects.

“We show that the artificial alkalinization of seawater could be one of several strategies that may be needed in conjunction to protect coral reefs from climate change,” said Andreas Oschlies of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Germany. […]

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