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Sharks could lose their jaws due to ocean acidification, study finds

Sharks could lose their jaws due to ocean acidification, study finds
Source: interestingengineering
Author: @IntEngineering
Published: 8/27/2025

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A recent study by researchers at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf reveals that ocean acidification, driven by increased human-generated CO2, poses a significant threat to sharks’ teeth, which are vital for their ability to catch prey. The study focused on Blacktip reef shark teeth exposed to lowered pH levels, simulating future ocean conditions expected by the year 2300 when ocean pH may drop from the current average of 8.1 to 7.3. Teeth incubated in more acidic water showed visible damage such as cracks, holes, and structural degradation, indicating that even highly mineralized shark teeth are vulnerable to corrosion under acidified conditions. The experiment involved immersing discarded shark teeth in artificial seawater tanks with different pH levels for eight weeks. Results showed that teeth in lower pH environments developed irregular surface structures that, while potentially improving cutting ability, also made them structurally weaker and more prone to breaking. Although the study used non-living teeth and could not assess biological repair mechanisms

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energyocean-acidificationmarine-biologyenvironmental-impactcalcium-phosphatemineral-degradationclimate-change-effects