What is a key consequence of acidification in aquatic environments?

The key consequence of acidification in aquatic environments is a loss of biodiversity. When water becomes more acidic due to factors like increased carbon dioxide levels or pollutants, it can adversely affect a variety of aquatic organisms. Many species, including fish and shellfish, have specific pH ranges in which they can thrive. Acidic conditions can harm these organisms by affecting their physiology, reproductive success, and overall health.

Moreover, acidification can lead to the dissolution of calcium carbonate, essential for the shells and skeletons of organisms such as corals, mollusks, and some plankton. As these species decline, the entire food web may be impacted, leading to further reductions in biodiversity. In crowded ecosystems, such as coral reefs, this loss of diversity can destabilize the habitat, reducing resilience to environmental changes.

The other options relate to different ecological processes but do not directly relate to the consequences of acidification. Increased oxygen production is typically linked to healthy aquatic plant life, which may be inhibited by acidification, while a decrease in water temperature and increases in nutrient levels are often influenced by other environmental factors, not acidification directly.