Ocean acidification (OA) is one of the quietest yet most profound changes unfolding in our seas. Caused mainly by the ocean’s absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it steadily lowers seawater pH and depletes carbonate ions — the essential building blocks for shells, skeletons, and coral reefs. These chemical shifts ripple through marine ecosystems, weakening coral structures, slowing the growth of shellfish, disrupting plankton communities, and ultimately destabilising the food webs that sustain biodiversity and human livelihoods. Although OA is recognised as a global problem, its effects are not uniform. Some regions, particularly the Indian Ocean and other tropical waters, remain poorly studied despite being home to rich biodiversity and millions of people whose lives depend on healthy coastal ecosystems. This paper focuses on OA as a “silent” driver of biodiversity loss and addresses two major gaps: the lack of strong policy and governance integration, and the scarcity of regional data for Indian and tropical waters. To explore how OA is framed in global agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Paris Agreement, and examine its treatment in India’s environmental laws, including the Environment (Protection) Act, Coastal Regulation Zone rules, and the Biological Diversity Act. While these frameworks provide important protections, none directly target OA or mandate systematic monitoring. The shortage of long-term, high-resolution data on pH and carbonate chemistry in Indian waters makes it difficult to gauge the scale of the threat or design locally relevant solutions. The lack of species-specific studies in this region adds further uncertainty to impact predictions. This is mainly upon doctrinal studies. This study calls for integrating OA into national marine policies, creating dedicated monitoring networks in the Indian Ocean, and fostering interdisciplinary research that links chemical changes to ecological shifts and community livelihoods. Closing these gaps is vital not only for protecting marine biodiversity but also for ensuring food security and economic stability for coastal populations.
Alex A. M. & Jincy J., 2026. Ocean acidification: the silent threat to marine biodiveristy. International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis 3(1): 3109-3120. Article.
0 Responses to “Ocean acidification: the silent threat to marine biodiversity”