Acidic ocean fallout

Research specialist Anne Cohen and MIT/WHOI Joint Program student Meredith White monitor baby sea urchins in the lab for possible effects from ocean acidification. The oceans have absorbed about one-third of all human-generated carbon emissions, but the buildup of carbon dioxide is pushing surface waters toward more acidic conditions. Ocean acidification creates a corrosive environment for marine organisms such as corals, sea urchins, and shellfish that build carbonate shells or skeletons. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)