The Physiological and Ecological Effects between Ocean Acidification and Coral Reefs

In recent decades, the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere has continued to rise, leading to global changes such as global warming and ocean acidification. The CO 2 in the atmosphere is dissolved in the ocean through water gas exchange to achieve water gas balance. The continuously increasing CO 2 concentration changes the marine hydrochemical system, especially breaking the original carbonate equilibrium system, reducing the pH value, carbonate ion concentration, and calcium carbonate saturation in seawater, leading to ocean acidification. A normal seawater hydrochloric acid system can promote the biological activity of coral reef ecosystems, while ocean acidification not only leads to a decrease in the calcification rate of calcified organisms in coral reef systems, but also leads to dissolution phenomena in coral reef systems. This review analyzes the phenomenon of ocean acidification, understands the ecological effects of coral reef systems in the process of ocean acidification, proposes corresponding protection measures, and hopes to strengthen the protection of the ocean and coral reef systems globally.