Strong time dependence of ocean acidification mitigation by atmospheric carbon dioxide removal

In Paris in 2015, the global community agreed to limit global warming to well below 2 C, aiming at even 1.5 C. It is still uncertain whether these targets are sufficient to preserve marine ecosystems and prevent a severe alteration of marine biogeochemical cycles. Here, we show that stringent mitigation strategies consistent with the 1.5 ∘C scenario could, indeed, provoke a critical difference for the ocean’s carbon cycle and calcium carbonate saturation states.

Favorable conditions for calcifying organisms like tropical corals and polar pteropods, both of major importance for large ecosystems, can only be maintained if CO2 emissions fall rapidly between 2025 and 2050, potentially requiring an early deployment of CO2 removal techniques in addition to drastic emissions reduction. Furthermore, this outcome can only be achieved if the terrestrial biosphere remains a carbon sink during the entire 21st century.

Authors

PBL Authors
Detlef van Vuuren
Other authors
M. Hofmann
S. Mathesius
E. Kriegler
H.J. Schellnhuber

Specifications

Publication title
Strong time dependence of ocean acidification mitigation by atmospheric carbon dioxide removal
Publication date
6 December 2019
Publication type
Article
Publication language
English
Magazine
Nature Communications
Issue
Volume 10, Article number: 5592
Product number
4061