Malaysian waters are currently undergoing drastic changes due to the effects of climate change, involving chemical shifts and ocean warming. Sea surface temperatures are rising substantially across all areas, which not only threatens the fisheries and tourism sectors but also triggers serious coral bleaching phenomena.
At the same time, increasing ocean acidity caused by decreasing pH levels weakens the structures and shells of marine life such as corals and mollusks. Additionally, dropping dissolved oxygen levels risk creating “dead zones” that can destroy fish habitats, while shifting salinity levels disrupt the breeding and feeding grounds of marine species.
These changes also threaten the base of the marine food web, as shifting chlorophyll and nitrate levels endanger phytoplankton populations, the foundation of ocean life. Overall, projections by NAHRIM show that parameters such as sea surface temperature and nitrate will continue to increase, while pH and dissolved oxygen levels are expected to decrease throughout the nation’s waters.
Kementerian Peralihan Tenaga dan Transformasi Air
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