Katja Mintenbeck

Dr. Katja Mintenbeck, marine biologist at Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, conducted a meta analysis as part of BIOACID. Results from more than 500 studies about effects of ocean acidification and warming were entered in a data base and analysed in relation to various research questions.

Species from tropical and polar regions seem to be more sensitive to changes in their environment. Species from temperate waters are more used to varying conditions and react more flexible. But the studies that had been considered in the meta analysis reveal very clearly that life in the ocean will change, with possible consequences for economy and society.

„There is no time to wait“, says Dr. Mintenbeck. „We need to act now. We need to reduce our emissions to at least in parts preserve life in the ocean as we know it.“