A new study suggests ocean acidification could erode shark teeth, threatening their ability to feed and destabilizing marine ecosystems. Sharks’ rapid tooth replacement usually safeguards their survival, but researchers found that increasingly acidic oceans may damage teeth faster than they can be replaced.
The study tested 60 naturally shed blacktip reef shark teeth in seawater tanks simulating current pH levels (8.1) and projected future acidity (7.3). After eight weeks, teeth in the acidic tank showed double the damage, including root corrosion and dulled serrations. Lead author Maximilian Baum from Heinrich Heine University warned this could hinder sharks’ hunting efficiency, especially for species with slower tooth replacement.
Ocean acidification results from rising CO₂ absorption, with pH potentially dropping to 7.3 by 2300. Sharks already face pressures from overfishing and prey shortages, making dental degradation an additional threat. While some experts suggest sharks may adapt by accelerating tooth replacement, questions remain about whether damaged teeth can still function effectively.
The findings add to existing evidence that acidification harms shells, corals, and other calcified structures, highlighting the urgency of cutting human-driven CO₂ emissions to protect marine life.
