 In India, there are no specific legislations or acts directly addressing ocean acidification.

However, the
central and state governments have enacted several environmental protection laws to safeguard
marine ecosystems. The most relevant legislation in this regard is:
 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: This Act provides the legal framework for the protection and
improvement of the environment. It empowers the government to take measures for preventing and
controlling environmental pollution, including pollution of marine ecosystems. Section 3 of the Act
imposes a duty on individuals and authorities to take necessary measures to prevent environmental
pollution.
 The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011: This notification, issued under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986, aims to regulate activities in the coastal areas to protect the coastal
environment and its biodiversity. The CRZ Notification prohibits certain activities in ecologically
sensitive areas, including coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.
 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002: This Act is enacted to conserve biological diversity and promote its
sustainable use. It establishes the National Biodiversity Authority and provides for the conservation and
management of biological resources. The Act indirectly addresses the protection of marine ecosystems
and the organisms residing in them.
 Considering the global nature of ocean acidification, international conventions and agreements also
play a significant role in addressing this issue. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS) establishes the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine
resources. Additionally, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change aims to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, including those causing ocean acidification.
 It is important to note that while the existence of legislation and international agreements provides a
legal framework, the effective implementation and enforcement of these laws are equally crucial in
addressing ocean acidification and its impact on marine ecosystems.

impact of ocean acidification

1. Reduced Calcification and Growth: Ocean acidification hinders the ability of marine organisms like corals,
shellfish, and phytoplankton to form their calcium carbonate structures. This leads to reduced growth rates
and weakened shells or skeletons, making them more susceptible to damage and predation.

2. Coral Bleaching: High levels of CO2 in seawater can cause corals to expel the symbiotic algae that provide
them with nutrients and give them their vibrant colors. This bleaching process weakens the corals and makes
them more vulnerable to diseases, ultimately leading to coral reef degradation.
3. Disruption of Marine Food Chains: Ocean acidification affects the availability of carbonate ions, which are
essential for the growth and survival of many species, including zooplankton, shellfish, and small marine
organisms. Disruptions in their populations can have cascading effects on the entire marine food chain.

4. Decreased Biodiversity: Ocean acidification can lead to shifts in species composition, favoring acid-tolerant
species and potentially reducing biodiversity. This can have significant ecological consequences, as it may
disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems and lead to the decline of keystone species.

5. Economic Impact: Ocean acidification also has economic repercussions, particularly for industries
dependent on shellfish and coral reef ecosystems. Reduced growth and survival rates of commercially
important species like oysters and mussels can result in substantial economic losses for fisheries and
aquaculture industries.

6. Weakened Carbon Sink: The oceans act as a major carbon sink, absorbing a significant portion of the CO2
emitted into the atmosphere. However, ocean acidification can reduce the oceans' capacity to absorb and
store carbon, potentially exacerbating climate change by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels.

how to mitigate ocean acidification

Mitigating ocean acidification is a complex issue that requires global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions and address the underlying causes. Here are some key strategies to help mitigate ocean
acidification:

1. Reduce CO2 Emissions: The primary driver of ocean acidification is the increased CO2 concentration in the
atmosphere. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. This can be
achieved by transitioning to cleaner and renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting
sustainable practices in various sectors such as transportation, industry, and agriculture.

2. Conserve and Restore Coastal Habitats: Coastal habitats like mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt
marshes are known to absorb and store carbon dioxide effectively. Protecting and restoring these habitats can
help mitigate ocean acidification by acting as natural carbon sinks and reducing the amount of CO2 entering
the marine environment.

3. Enhance Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Establishing and effectively managing MPAs can help protect
vulnerable ecosystems and species from the impacts of ocean acidification. These protected areas can provide
refuge for marine organisms and support their resilience to changing ocean conditions.

4. Sustainable Aquaculture Practices: Adopting sustainable practices in aquaculture, such as optimizing feed
efficiency, reducing waste and pollution, and minimizing the use of chemicals, can help minimize the impacts
of ocean acidification on farmed species.

5. Research and Monitoring: Continued research and monitoring of ocean acidification are essential to
understand its impacts and devise effective mitigation strategies. This includes studying the resilience of
different marine species and ecosystems, as well as monitoring changes in ocean chemistry and pH levels.

6. International Cooperation: Mitigating Ocean acidification requires international collaboration to establish

It is important to note that while these strategies can help mitigate ocean acidification, they are part of a
broader effort to combat climate change and protect the marine environment. Implementing these measures
will require collective action at the global level to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience of our oceans.

causes of ocean acidification

1. Increased Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions: The primary cause of ocean acidification is the rising levels of
CO2 in the atmosphere resulting from human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil,
and natural gas. These emissions contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and causing climate
change.

2. Ocean-Carbon Cycle Imbalance: Oceans naturally absorb and exchange carbon dioxide with the atmosphere
through a process known as the ocean-carbon cycle. However, the excessive amount of CO2 being emitted by
human activities overwhelms the oceans' capacity to maintain a stable pH level, leading to acidification.

3. Carbonic Acid Formation: When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it reacts with water molecules to form carbonic
acid, which is responsible for lowering the pH level of the ocean. This increase in acidity can have detrimental
effects on marine life, particularly organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build shells or skeletons.

4. Decline in Carbonate Ion Concentration: Acidification reduces the concentration of carbonate ions in
seawater, making it more difficult for marine organisms such as corals, shellfish, and plankton to build and
maintain their calcium carbonate structures. This can lead to decreased calcification rates and weakened shells
or skeletons.

5. Natural Processes: While human-induced CO2 emissions are the primary driver of ocean acidification,
natural processes like volcanic eruptions and the weathering of rocks can also release CO2 into the atmosphere
and contribute to acidification. However, these natural processes occur over long periods, whereas human
activities have greatly accelerated the rate of acidification.

6. Ocean acidification can affect fishes’ sense of smell and alter their behaviour. • In more acidic conditions,
young clownfish loses the ability to navigate home using their sense of smell. • Fish are attracted to odours
they normally avoid, such as the scent of predators, and displayed uncharacteristically bold behaviours such as
roaming far from their home reef.

It is important to note that ocean acidification is directly linked to climate change and the excessive carbon
emissions caused by human activities. Addressing the root causes of climate change and transitioning to
cleaner and renewable energy sources are essential in mitigating ocean acidification and protecting marine
ecosystems.

Marine biogenic calcification is the process by which marine organisms such as oysters, clams, mollusks,
foraminifera, coccolithophores, crustaceans, echinoderms such as sea urchins, and corals form calcium
carbonate.