Abstract
Ocean acidification, driven by the absorption of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) by seawater, poses a significant threat to Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems, including critical habitats such as estuaries, mangroves, and marine benthic zones within Uruguay’s Exclusive Economic Zone (U-EEZ), support biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services to local communities. This article examines the specific impacts of ocean acidification on Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems, drawing from global research on acidification effects and localized studies of Uruguay’s marine environments. The analysis highlights vulnerabilities in species physiology, food webs, and ecosystem services such as fisheries and tourism. Connections to intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations and treaties such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are explored to contextualize Uruguay’s role in global mitigation and adaptation efforts. Recommendations are provided for enhanced monitoring, policy integration, and international collaboration to address this growing environmental crisis.
Introduction
The global increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) due to anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes has led to profound environmental changes. One of the most pressing but often under-discussed consequences is ocean acidification, a process whereby the ocean absorbs excess CO2, resulting in a decrease in seawater pH and alterations in carbonate chemistry. According to Friedlingstein et al. (2020), the oceans absorb approximately one-fourth of anthropogenic CO2 emissions annually, fundamentally altering marine environments worldwide.
In Uruguay, a country with a coastline stretching over 660 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata estuary, coastal ecosystems play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, local economies, and cultural heritage. These ecosystems—ranging from sandy beaches and rocky shores to mangroves and subtidal zones—are particularly vulnerable to the cascading effects of ocean acidification, which can disrupt marine life at multiple trophic levels. Despite Uruguay’s relatively small size, its marine environments within the U-EEZ are part of the broader South Atlantic ecosystem, making their health critical to regional ecological stability.
This article aims to elucidate the specific threats posed by ocean acidification to Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems, assess the current state of research and policy response, and propose actionable recommendations. It also seeks to connect Uruguay’s challenges to global frameworks through intergovernmental organizations and treaties that address ocean health and climate change, emphasizing the need for coordinated international action. The discussion is structured into situational analysis, a review of relevant literature, a detailed discussion of impacts and challenges, policy recommendations, and a conclusion.
Situational Analysis
Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems are characterized by a diversity of habitats that support a wide range of species, many of which are economically and ecologically significant. The Río de la Plata estuary, shared with Argentina, is one of the largest estuarine systems in the world and serves as a nursery ground for numerous fish species that sustain local fisheries. Additionally, the marine benthic ecosystems of the U-EEZ, though understudied, are critical components of the regional marine biodiversity, as highlighted by recent efforts to map and classify these zones (Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023).
Ocean acidification impacts these ecosystems by altering the chemical environment in which marine organisms live. The reduction in pH and the decreased availability of carbonate ions affect calcifying organisms such as mollusks, corals, and certain plankton species, which struggle to build and maintain their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. This can lead to broader ecological disruptions, including shifts in food webs and declines in biodiversity. For Uruguay, where coastal communities rely on fisheries and tourism, these changes have direct socioeconomic implications.
While localized data on ocean acidification in Uruguay’s coastal waters are limited, global trends provide a concerning outlook. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that ocean pH could decrease by 0.3 to 0.4 units by the end of the century under high-emission scenarios, exacerbating stress on marine ecosystems. Uruguay’s coastal regions, particularly areas influenced by freshwater inputs from the Río de la Plata, may experience amplified effects due to lower buffering capacity in estuarine environments.
Furthermore, Uruguay faces additional stressors that compound the effects of ocean acidification, including coastal pollution, overfishing, and habitat degradation. These non-climatic anthropogenic pressures, combined with climate-driven changes such as warming waters and sea level rise, create a complex risk landscape for Uruguay’s marine biodiversity. Addressing ocean acidification in this context requires an integrated approach that accounts for both local vulnerabilities and global drivers of change.
Literature Review
The scientific understanding of ocean acidification has advanced significantly over the past two decades, with numerous studies documenting its impacts on marine ecosystems. Doney et al. (2020) provide a comprehensive overview of how acidification affects organism physiology, particularly in calcifying species, and alters population dynamics and community structures. Their work underscores the risk to ecosystem services, including food security and coastal protection, which are particularly relevant for countries like Uruguay with high dependence on marine resources.
Globally, research has shown that ocean acidification can lead to significant declines in shellfish populations, coral reef degradation, and disruptions in planktonic communities that form the base of marine food webs (US EPA, 2025). For instance, in the Northeast Pacific, studies have documented the economic and cultural impacts of acidification on fisheries, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal communities (Haigh et al., 2015). While such studies are not directly specific to Uruguay, the parallels in ecological and socioeconomic contexts suggest similar outcomes for Uruguayan coastal systems.
In the South Atlantic, including Uruguay’s marine zones, research on acidification remains sparse. However, recent efforts to map Uruguay’s marine benthic regions (Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023) provide a foundation for understanding habitat distribution and potential vulnerabilities. These studies indicate that Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems lack a robust classification system, which hampers targeted conservation and monitoring efforts. This gap in localized data aligns with broader challenges in data-poor regions, where global models must be adapted to local conditions.
From a policy perspective, ocean acidification is increasingly recognized as a global issue necessitating international cooperation. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), emphasize the need to minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification (UN DESA, n.d.). Additionally, frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provide mechanisms for countries like Uruguay to integrate ocean health into national adaptation and mitigation strategies (UNFCCC, 2021). These treaties underscore the importance of addressing CO2 emissions as the root cause of acidification, alongside implementing local protective measures.
Intergovernmental organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have also contributed to understanding acidification’s impacts on coastal societies through supported research and capacity-building initiatives (IAEA, 2016). Such efforts highlight the need for scientific and technical support in countries like Uruguay, where resources for marine research may be limited. Collectively, the literature points to a dual need for localized ecological studies in Uruguay and stronger engagement with global policy frameworks to address the multifaceted challenges of ocean acidification.
Discussion
Ecological Impacts on Uruguay’s Coastal Ecosystems
The primary mechanism through which ocean acidification affects Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems is the disruption of calcium carbonate availability for calcifying organisms. Species such as mussels, oysters, and certain planktonic organisms are particularly vulnerable, as lower pH levels inhibit shell formation, leading to reduced survival rates and growth abnormalities. Given the role of these species as keystone organisms in food webs, their decline could have cascading effects on predators, including commercially important fish species that sustain Uruguay’s fishing industry.
In the Río de la Plata estuary, where salinity and pH naturally fluctuate, acidification may exacerbate existing stresses. Estuarine species, adapted to variable conditions, may have some resilience, but chronic exposure to lower pH levels could push them beyond their physiological limits. Additionally, acidification can interact with other stressors such as nutrient pollution—common in the Río de la Plata due to agricultural runoff—leading to harmful algal blooms and hypoxic zones that further degrade habitat quality.
Marine benthic ecosystems within Uruguay’s U-EEZ, though less studied, are likely to face similar challenges. These habitats support diverse invertebrate communities that are critical to nutrient cycling and habitat stability. Acidification-induced changes in species composition could alter these functions, with long-term consequences for ecosystem resilience. Moreover, warming waters associated with climate change may compound acidification effects, as temperature stress can exacerbate metabolic demands on marine organisms.
Socioeconomic Implications
The ecological impacts of ocean acidification translate directly into socioeconomic risks for Uruguay’s coastal communities. Fisheries, which provide livelihoods and food security for many Uruguayans, are particularly at risk due to declines in shellfish and fish stocks. Tourism, another key sector, could suffer from degraded coastal environments, including loss of aesthetically and ecologically valuable habitats like mangroves and beaches affected by erosion and species loss.
Uruguay’s relatively small economy and limited resources for environmental monitoring exacerbate these challenges. Unlike larger nations with extensive research infrastructure, Uruguay may struggle to implement comprehensive monitoring programs for acidification and related stressors. This underscores the importance of international support and collaboration to build capacity for research and adaptation.
Global Connections and Intergovernmental Frameworks
Ocean acidification is inherently a global issue, as the drivers—primarily CO2 emissions—transcend national boundaries. Uruguay, as a signatory to key international treaties such as the UNFCCC and the CBD, has commitments to address climate change and biodiversity loss, both of which are directly linked to acidification. The UNFCCC, through mechanisms like the Paris Agreement, emphasizes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which is critical to mitigating ocean acidification at its source. Uruguay’s National Adaptation Plan for coastal areas, developed under UNFCCC guidance, provides a framework for integrating acidification into broader climate resilience strategies (UNFCCC, 2021).
The CBD, meanwhile, focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, offering a platform for Uruguay to prioritize the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems. Targets under the CBD’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework explicitly address marine conservation, providing a basis for Uruguay to seek international funding and technical support for acidification-related initiatives.
Intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations and the IAEA also play a crucial role. The UN’s SDG 14.3 specifically targets the minimization of ocean acidification, providing a global benchmark for Uruguay’s efforts (UN DESA, n.d.). The IAEA, through its research programs, has supported studies on acidification’s impacts on coastal societies, offering potential models for Uruguay to assess local vulnerabilities (IAEA, 2016). Engaging with these organizations can help Uruguay access scientific expertise, funding, and policy guidance to address the crisis.
Challenges and Barriers
Despite the availability of international frameworks, several barriers hinder effective action in Uruguay. First, the lack of localized data on acidification trends and ecological impacts limits the ability to design targeted interventions. Second, institutional capacity for marine research and monitoring is constrained by funding and expertise shortages. Third, integrating acidification into national policy requires coordination across sectors—environment, fisheries, tourism, and agriculture—which can be politically and logistically challenging.
Additionally, while international treaties provide overarching goals, their implementation at the national level often lacks specificity for issues like acidification, which are less visible than other climate impacts such as sea level rise or extreme weather. Uruguay must navigate these challenges while balancing economic development priorities with environmental conservation.
Recommendations
Addressing the threat of ocean acidification to Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems requires a multi-pronged approach that combines local action with international collaboration. The following recommendations are proposed:
- Enhanced Monitoring and Research: Uruguay should establish a national monitoring program for ocean acidification, focusing on key coastal habitats such as the Río de la Plata estuary and the U-EEZ. Partnerships with international organizations like the IAEA can provide technical support and funding for such initiatives. Localized data collection on pH trends, species responses, and ecosystem health is essential for informed decision-making.
- Policy Integration: Ocean acidification should be explicitly integrated into Uruguay’s National Adaptation Plan and other climate and biodiversity strategies. This includes setting specific targets for marine conservation under the CBD and aligning with SDG 14.3 objectives. Cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms should be established to ensure cohesive policy implementation.
- Community Engagement and Capacity Building: Coastal communities must be involved in adaptation efforts through education and participatory programs that highlight the socioeconomic risks of acidification. Training programs for local scientists and policymakers, supported by UN agencies, can build expertise in marine conservation and climate resilience.
- International Collaboration: Uruguay should leverage its participation in the UNFCCC, CBD, and other treaties to advocate for global emission reductions and secure resources for marine protection. Regional cooperation with neighboring countries like Argentina and Brazil, particularly in shared ecosystems like the Río de la Plata, can enhance monitoring and response efforts.
- Mitigation of Local Stressors: Reducing non-climatic pressures such as coastal pollution and overfishing can increase ecosystem resilience to acidification. Implementing sustainable fishery practices and improving watershed management to limit nutrient runoff are critical steps that Uruguay can take at the national level.
Conclusion
Ocean acidification represents a growing environmental crisis for Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. While the global nature of CO2 emissions necessitates international action, Uruguay must also prioritize localized research, policy development, and community engagement to address the specific vulnerabilities of its marine environments. Connections to intergovernmental organizations and treaties such as the UNFCCC, CBD, and SDG frameworks provide valuable opportunities for Uruguay to access resources, expertise, and policy guidance. However, overcoming barriers such as data gaps and institutional constraints will require sustained effort and collaboration at both national and international levels.
The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. As ocean acidification continues to accelerate under current emission trajectories, the window for effective action narrows. Uruguay has the opportunity to position itself as a regional leader in marine conservation by integrating acidification into its environmental agenda and advocating for stronger global commitments to ocean health. Protecting Uruguay’s coastal ecosystems is not only a national imperative but also a contribution to the broader goal of sustainable ocean management for future generations.
References
- Doney, S. C., Busch, D. S., Cooley, S. R., & Kroeker, K. J. (2020). The impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and reliant human communities. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 45, 83-112. doi:10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083019
- Friedlingstein, P., et al. (2020). Global carbon budget 2020. Earth System Science Data, 12(4), 3269-3340. doi:10.5194/essd-12-3269-2020
- Frontiers in Marine Science. (2023). Bioregionalization in a data-poor situation: Mapping of Uruguayan marine benthic regions. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. doi:10.3389/fmars.2023.1130827
- Haigh, R., Ianson, D., Holt, C. A., Neate, H. E., & Edwards, A. M. (2015). Effects of ocean acidification on temperate coastal marine ecosystems and fisheries in the Northeast Pacific. PLOS One, 10(2), e0117533. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117533
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (2016). IAEA-supported research examines impact of ocean acidification on coastal societies. Retrieved from https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/iaea-supported-research-measures-impact-of-ocean-acidification-on-coastal-societies
- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). (n.d.). Facilitating global coordination and collaboration on ocean acidification. Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/facilitating-global-coordination-and-collaboration-ocean-acidification
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2021). National Adaptation Plan for Coastal Uruguay. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/NAP-Coastal-Uruguay.pdf
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). (2025). Effects of ocean and coastal acidification on ecosystems. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/effects-ocean-and-coastal-acidification-ecosystems
