As if there weren't already enough threats to coral refs, now scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) have found that carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved in seawater could be a direct threat to these tropical ecosystems. "We believe that these findings represent some of he first evidence of a direct negative impact of increased CO2 on a marine ecosystem," lead author Joan Kleypus of the NCAR wrote in an article in the Journal Science.

Carbon dioxide threatens: Tropical coral reefs. (2000, February 3). Manila Bulletin, p. B-11.