ALBANY — The State University of New York at Stony Brook will be studying how increasing concentrations of man-made greenhouse gases might impact ocean shellfish.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave the university a $533,000 grant for the work, which examines a phenomenon known as ocean acidification. Carbon dioxide, released during the combustion of oil, gasoline, coal and natural gas, is absorbed by the oceans, which is gradually raising theie acidity levels.
High acidity can inhibit the ability of shellfish to make shells, and of coral to make reefs. The Stony Brook research will examine the impact of acidity levels on bay scallops and hard clams, two important species harvested as seafood.
Brian Nearing, timesunion.com, 20 September 2012. Article.
