GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate, is a growing environmental issue caused by the influx of human industry and agriculture in the mid-twentiethcentury to the present.
As greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane are released into the atmosphere, a shield forms around our Earth, trapping heat inside of our planet and therefore creating a general warming effect. One of the most influenced territories of warming has been our oceans.

Global Warming and its effect on plankton

Global warming causes the upper layers of the ocean to warm whilst the bottom layers remain at the same temperature. A larger temperature difference between two water layers implies less mixing of chemicals between these water layers

 These nutrients, containing nitrogen, phosphorus and iron, are vital food for phytoplankton.
Phytoplankton are food for other marine life and they act as a carbon sink.

If the growth of phytoplankton is interrupted by global warming, this ability to act as a buffer against global warming is also affected - leading to a much-feared positive feedback

Yearly Growth Cycles

Various plants and animals in our oceans need both a temperature and light balance in order to thrive.
Temperature-driven creatures, such as Phytoplankton, have started their yearly growth cycle earlier in the season due to warming oceans. Light-driven creatures start their yearly growth cycle around the same time.

Migration
The warming of oceans may also lead to migration of organisms along the east and west coasts.
Heat-tolerant species, such as shrimp, will expand northward, while heat-intolerant species, such as clams and flounder, will retreat northward. Organisms will need to adapt to their new environment . If some organisms cannot adapt to their new marine environment, they will not flourish and die off.

General Acidification
Greater CO2 concentrations released into our oceans create increased ocean acidity.
As ocean acidity increases, Phytoplankton is reduced.

This results in less ocean plants able to uptake greenhouse gases.

Also, increased ocean acidity threatens marine life, such as corals and shellfish, which may become extinct later this century from the chemical effects of CO2

Acidification Effect on Coral Reefs

Naturally, coral secretes tiny shells of calcium carbonate in order to form its skeleton.
Yet, as CO2 from global warming is released into the atmosphere, acidification increases and the carbonate ions vanish. This results in lower extension rates or weaker skeletons in most corals.