Scientist: Acid ocean hurts oysters

SYDNEY, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- An Australian marine biologist says the increasing acidity of seawater is making the country's most prized oyster less fertile.

Laura Parker is to present her research on the Sydney rock oyster and the Pacific oyster at a conference next week in Monaco, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The conference, sponsored by UNESCO, brings together scientists from many countries to discuss ocean acidification.

The Sydney rock oyster is Australia's most valuable commercial sea creature, bringing in millions of dollars every year.

Parker, working with a senior scientist in the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, has been researching the fertility of oysters when they are exposed to a slight rise in water acidity. She has found that the effect is even more marked when water temperatures rise.

"I thought they would have an impact but not as badly as the results showed," Parker said.

Many atmospheric pollutants are absorbed by the ocean. When carbon dioxide is absorbed it becomes carbonic acid.

Scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division and University of Hobart will also be at the conference.