Surface waters in the world oceans have already experienced a pH reduction of about 0.1 units (OSPAR, 2006.) The trend indicates further decrease of pH and is most probably due to increased uptake of atmospheric CO2 and less buffering capacity of ocean waters. The trend is similar in the waters surrounding Sweden.
Background and Aim
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has commissioned and funded this report and the aim is to assess the need, how and where to monitor marine acidification in the seas surrounding Sweden.
The European Commission has suggested a framework and common goals to protect and preserve the marine environment. In the strategy proposal for the marine environment, common principles, that the member countries should apply when constructing their own strategies to reach good ecological status in their marine waters, were provided.
The member countries must evaluate the ecological state in their waters to assess the anthropogenic impact. In the strategy, there are proposals to monitor the marine acidification, since it can have serious impacts on the marine environment.
Andersson P. (Ed), Håkansson B., Håkansson J., Sahlsten E., Havenhand J., Thorndyke M., Dupont S., 2008. Marine Acidification – On effects and monitoring of marine acidification in the seas surrounding Sweden. Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. Report.
