研究表明,海洋酸化正在腐蚀鲨鱼的牙齿,可能导致鲨鱼进食困难,进而对整个海洋生态系统产生连锁反应。
The climate crisis may be a threat to the existence of sharks. The acidification of oceans is decaying sharks' teeth. Scientists already know that increasing ocean acidity is damaging corals and sea creatures with shells. Biologists looked at whether shark teeth are at similar risk. Many sharks swim with their mouths open and are constantly exposed to seawater. The researcher concluded that even the teeth of sharks are now vulnerable to damage. The researcher analyzed teeth from blacktip reef sharks. He put the teeth in separate water tanks for eight weeks. The salt water in one had an acidity level similar to current ocean averages. The water in the other tank was more acidic. The teeth in the more acidic water had visible damage, including cavities, root decay, and structural deterioration. Ongoing damage could impact how sharks feed. This could trigger "domino effects" across marine ecosystems.