Surprising Impact: How Ocean Water May Transform Shark Teeth

Do sharks need dentures? It might sound funny, but with new research showing that ocean acidification could weaken their teeth, it’s a real concern. Shark teeth are unique—they’re sharp and grow continuously. When one falls out, another is ready to take its place. This is crucial for their survival as sharks need strong teeth for hunting.

But even though shark teeth are tough, they aren’t immune to damage. Biologist Maximilian Baum from Heinrich Heine University in Germany highlights that these teeth can corrode due to rising ocean acidity caused by human activities.

The oceans absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide emissions we create. As CO₂ levels rise, they react with seawater, leading to more hydrogen ions and a drop in pH—this is ocean acidification. Currently, the average pH of the oceans is about 8.1, but by 2300, it could fall to around 7.3, making the waters nearly ten times as acidic.

This change doesn’t just affect sharks; it impacts many marine animals. Fewer carbonate ions mean difficulty in building shells and skeletons, affecting creatures like corals and shellfish.

To study the impact of acidification on sharks, researchers examined over 600 discarded blacktip reef shark teeth from an aquarium. Blacktip reef sharks play a vital role in coral reef ecosystems and must swim with their mouths open to breathe. Researchers placed 16 of the healthiest teeth in different tanks—one at the current pH and another simulating future acidic conditions.

The results were striking. Teeth in acidic water showed many more cracks and holes. All parts of the tooth, including the crowns and roots, suffered corrosion, highlighting a troubling trend.

While teeth placed in less acidic conditions had a larger average size, this growth was due to irregularities, making them weaker overall. These irregularities might improve cutting efficiency, but they come with the cost of increased vulnerability.

This research echoes serious concerns about ocean health. Sharks are already facing challenges from overfishing, and weakened teeth could lead to greater difficulties in surviving in an acidic ocean. Biologist Baum states that this shows how climate change can impact entire marine ecosystems.

Interestingly, while some shark species show resilience to changing pH levels, the full impact of these changes remains uncertain. Sharks are a crucial part of ocean ecosystems, and their decline could disrupt food webs globally.

This research was published in Frontiers in Marine Science, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and protecting our oceans from the effects of climate change.

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