What field studies the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms?

Marine biology is the field that focuses on studying the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms. This discipline encompasses a wide range of topics, including the biology and ecology of marine species, their interactions with one another, and their responses to environmental changes, such as increased carbon dioxide levels in the water, leading to acidification.

Ocean acidification affects many marine organisms, especially those that build calcium carbonate structures, like corals and shellfish, making understanding these interactions critical for marine biologists. They conduct research to learn how these organisms adapt or suffer from the changing chemistry of the ocean, which can have significant implications for marine ecosystems and fisheries.

The other fields mentioned are not primarily focused on the impacts of ocean acidification on marine life. Zoology studies animals broadly but doesn’t specifically concentrate on marine environments and their unique challenges. Veterinary science is mainly interested in the health and treatment of animals, without a specific focus on marine organisms in the context of ocean acidification. Botany is concerned with plant life, and while marine plants are important, this field does not specialize in the effects of acidification on marine organisms as a whole.