The ocean acidification research bill passed the U.S. House yesterday. H.R. 4174, a top priority for oceans advocates, would create a new program to research and monitor the effects of ocean acidification on the marine environment. The House approved it by voice vote.
As the oceans absorb more carbon from Earth’s atmosphere, the chemistry of the water is changing and becoming about 30 percent more acidic. The corrosive waters pose a potentially serious threat to marine life. If ocean water becomes too acidic, it can dissolve the shells of oysters, mussels and other sea life.
The oceans have absorbed about half of the CO2 released over the past 200 years due to human activities.
“On top of overfishing, pollution and rising water temperatures, ocean acidification is stress that could dramatically and permanently alter our ocean environments,” said Science Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.).
The bill attempts to address what Gordon and other lawmakers say has been a haphazard federal response to the issue. It would create a new interagency committee to coordinate and expand federal research on ocean acidification and marine ecosystems. It also authorizes $55 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration over the next four years and $41 million for the National Science Foundation.
–Allison Winter, E&E Daily reporter
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