The study analyzed 16 intact teeth as controls and 36 teeth exposed for eight weeks in tanks with pH levels of 8.1 and 7.3, simulating current and future ocean conditions.

Recent research reveals that ocean acidification significantly weakens shark teeth, increasing their brittleness and susceptibility to damage, which could threaten their role as top predators.

While the study highlights potential risks, it also notes limitations such as differences between lab conditions and the natural environment, and that the extreme acidity tested may not occur in oceans soon.

The study focused on discarded teeth from Blacktip reef sharks, which are crucial for their survival due to their sharp, replaceable teeth.

Findings indicated that water with the pH level projected for the year 2300 caused notably more damage to shark teeth, affecting both roots and crowns, than current ocean water.

The research's limitations include a small sample size, absence of live shark testing, and variability across species, leaving questions about the real-world impact of ocean acidification on sharks.

Separately, rising sea temperatures are causing coral bleaching, leading to significant coral mortality, with some areas of the Great Barrier Reef experiencing up to 80% death, and bleaching events occurring four times more frequently.

Addressing these threats requires global efforts like reducing CO₂ emissions through agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and protecting marine ecosystems via reserves.