The potential impact of nuclear conflict on ocean acidification

Conversely, the global cooling dissolves atmospheric carbon into the upper ocean, driving a 0.1 to 0.3 unit decrease in the aragonite saturation state (Omega(arag)) that persists for similar to 10 years.

The peak anomaly in pH occurs 2 years post conflict, while the Omega(arag) anomaly peaks 4- to 5-years post conflict. The decrease in Omega(arag) would exacerbate a primary threat of ocean acidification: the inability of marine calcifying organisms to maintain their shells/skeletons in a corrosive environment. Our results are based on sensitivity simulations conducted with a state-of-the-art Earth system model integrated under various black carbon (soot) external forcings.