The basic building blocks of shell fish and related organic mater in our oceans (such as coral) is the carbonate ion. This ion is balanced in proportion to the hydrogenated bicarbonate and carbonic acid ions at a given pH. Any fluctuation in pH shifts the balance from what living organisms need into a hydrogenated / acidic-rich environment where the carbonate ion forms complexes with hydrogen. Small fluctuations in acidity have dramatic effects on living organisms that rely on the carbonate ion.

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