Shikine-Jima is located more than a hundred kilometers from Tokyo. It is known to be a volcanic island found in the Philippine Sea. Many people know this place as a paradise - great for scenic getaways and relaxing vacations. However, what many people don't know is the impact and importance of this small island to the future of pretty much all marine life not only Japan but all over the world.
Based on a report from Phys Org, this particular island of Shikine has some special and unique characteristics that can help marine biologists in finding ways to protect not only coral reefs but also marine life. According to the article, underwater volcanoes in the island create the abundance of Carbon dioxide in the water and sand under the sea.
Scientists are trying to figure out how marine life, including the tiniest plankton, will survive in such unique waters. This is a great simulation of the increasing Carbon dioxide production in the Earth to date and if further climate change occurs world's oceans might have this much abundance of natural CO2.
According to a report from Japan Times, a group of scientists has tried to find the relationship between the increase of CO2 and the acidity of water in the oceans, including that of Shikine. They have found that as acidity increases, it will disrupt the growth and abundance of marine organisms. If such a thing happens, it will significantly affect not only the coral reefs but also the food chain.
With the coral reef crisis happening in the recent years off the coasts of the Caribbean to the coasts of Australia, scientists are on the fastest pace to look for ways to save what is left of famous reefs all over the world. Most scientists blame only two culprits - severe climate change and human intervention. With almost half of the world's reefs about to die out, it is a constant race for scientists to look for trends and projections of marine life. They need to learn how climate change can further help or damage life under the sea.
