Atmospheric CO₂ stabilization and ocean acidification

[1] We use a coupled climate/carbon-cycle model to examine the consequences of stabilizing atmospheric CO₂ at different levels for ocean chemistry. Our simulations show the potential for major damage to at least some ocean ecosystems at atmospheric CO₂ stabilization levels as low as 450 ppm. Before the industrial revolution, more than 98% of corals reefs were surrounded by waters that were >3.5 times saturated with respect to their skeleton materials (aragonite). If atmospheric CO₂ is stabilized at 450 ppm only 8% of existing coral reefs will be surrounded by water with this saturation level. Also at this CO₂ level 7% of the ocean South of 60°S will become undersaturated with respect to aragonite, and parts of the high latitude ocean will experience a decrease in pH by more than 0.2 units. Results presented here provide an independent and additional basis for choosing targets of atmospheric CO₂ stabilization levels.