There is now strong evidence that the ongoing ocean acidification has large impacts on the marine ecosystems, and the Baltic Sea is no exception. This issue was described in a policy brief already in 2020 – Emerging ocean acidification threatens Baltic Sea ecosystem – written by oceanographer Erik Gustafsson, Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre and marine ecologist Monika Winder, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences.

The publication has now been updated, and to some parts rewritten, to include new knowledge, such as on how calcifying organisms are affected by ocean acidification. Important contributions have come from Sam Dupont, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, with extensive experience in the field. 

The updates also include modelling results on how acidification in the Baltic Sea can develop under different scenarios, regarding emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus to the sea. It’s highlighted that high nutrient loads, resulting in a high degree of eutrophication, leads to a higher average pH, but also to larger seasonal variations and a lower annual pH minimum, which is what affects the marine organisms.

Read or download the new policy brief as a layouted pdf:

Policy brief: Ocean acidification poses another threat to the Baltic Sea ecosystem

Read or download a text version with references:

Policy brief: Ocean acidification poses another threat to the Baltic Sea ecosystem

Read on the webb:

Policy brief: Ocean acidification poses another threat to the Baltic Sea ecosystem

See a recent Baltic Breakfast seminar on the topic: