The rising acidity of the Earth’s oceans is leading to the corrosion and deterioration of shark teeth.

As apex predators, shark teeth serve as essential tools, but recent studies reveal that climate change is adversely affecting their strength and durability.

“They are highly specialized instruments designed for slicing through flesh without withstanding ocean acidity,” explained Maximilian Baum from Heinrich Heine University (HHU) in Düsseldorf. “Our findings underscore how even the most finely tuned weapons in nature are not immune to vulnerability.”

Sharks continuously regenerate their teeth, yet the deteriorating conditions of our oceans can compromise them more swiftly than they can heal.

With the oceans increasingly absorbing carbon dioxide due to climate change, their acidity levels are rising.

Currently, ocean water sits at a pH of 8.1, but it could drop to as low as 7.3 by 2300.

This research is part of the undergraduate project Frontier, where Baum sought to assess the impact of these changes on marine organisms.

By acquiring hundreds of black-tip reef shark teeth from an aquarium housing the study’s subjects, Baum was able to conduct his experiments.

Approximately 50 intact teeth were then placed in tanks with varying pH levels and left there for 8 weeks.

Upon evaluation at the conclusion of the study, it was evident that teeth exposed to acidic water exhibited considerably greater damage compared to those in 8.1 pH conditions.

“We noted visible surface defects such as cracks and holes, heightened root corrosion, and structural degradation,” remarked Professor Sebastian Fraun, who supervised the project at HHU.

The acidic conditions also rendered the tooth surfaces rough and uneven. While this may enhance the shark’s cutting efficiency, it simultaneously compromised the structural integrity of the teeth, increasing their likelihood of breaking.

“Maintaining a marine pH close to the current average of 8.1 is crucial for preserving the physical strength of this predatory tool,” Baum noted. “This highlights the broad impacts climate change has across the food web and entire ecosystems.”

About Our Experts

Maximilian Baum | I am a student at the Faculty of Biology at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf.

Professor Sebastian Fraun | He is the head of the Institute for Zoology and Biology Interactions at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf.

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