Human Health Implications of Ocean Acidification in the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

Record keeping over the centuries indicates a slow reduction in the pH level of oceans and other large bodies of water, which can disrupt a variety of marine life. This phenomenon, ocean acidification, is expected to worsen and may pose threats for humans. One area susceptible to human implications of ocean acidification is Mediterranean coastal communities in countries such as Italy, France, and Spain. This report predicts the intensity of ocean acidification’s indirect human health effects in these communities if not managed in future years. Through analyzing case and experimental studies of marine organisms’ response to ocean acidification, as well as research on environmental and human exchanges in Mediterranean communities, three different human health threats make themselves clear. For one, the disruption of the marine food web can cause problems that lead to decreases in local food sources and malnutrition. Similarly, ocean acidification supports the increase of harmful algal blooms, which have been shown to cause respiratory problems in humans. An overall decrease in biodiversity can also impair the development of new medicines, ultimately impacting human disease prevention. If the Mediterranean Sea, which provides natural resources for an estimated 480 million people, continues to fall victim to ocean acidification, human health consequences can occur, impacting multiple communities along the sea. More research is needed on the impact of ocean acidification beyond just its impact on marine life. Such efforts may help threatened societies to understand and better prepare for future issues that ocean acidification can bring to their communities.