How climate change is threatening underwater archaeological treasures

⭐ Join our community and access the best we offer!

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A new study coordinated by the University of Padua warns that ocean acidification is accelerating the decay of Europe’s underwater archaeological treasures
• Researchers found that rising CO₂ levels increase the dissolution of stone materials
• Submerged sites such as the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia could face escalating deterioration

🔭 The context: Ocean acidification is caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric CO₂ by seawater
• Scientists conducted field experiments near natural CO₂ vents off Ischia to simulate future ocean conditions
• Materials rich in calcium carbonate, such as marble and limestone, are particularly vulnerable

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Ocean acidification not only harms marine ecosystems but also erodes irreplaceable cultural heritage
• Damage to submerged archaeological sites could become “irreversible over the coming decades and centuries”
• The findings underscore the cascading consequences of unchecked emissions beyond biodiversity loss, affecting history, identity and collective memory

⏭️ What’s next: Researchers are calling for stronger conservation and adaptation strategies for underwater heritage
• Future EU climate policy and marine protection frameworks may need to integrate cultural preservation
• Continued emissions reductions remain critical to slowing acidification trends

💬 One quote: “Even seemingly minor surface degradation can mean irreversible loss of information.” - Luigi Germinario

📈 One stat: About one-quarter of global CO₂ emissions are absorbed by the world’s oceans, driving acidification

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance — carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change