Shark Teeth at Risk from Ocean Acidification

Fri Jan 16 2026 16:25:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent study reveals that the acidification of oceans, driven by human activity, poses a significant threat to the structural integrity of shark teeth, essential for their survival as top predators.

A study by German scientists indicates that increasing ocean acidity, resulting from carbon emissions, may weaken shark teeth, potentially jeopardizing their predatory role in marine ecosystems. While sharks are resilient, the findings highlight the broader implications of ocean health on biodiversity.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sharks, known as formidable predators of the ocean, may face new challenges as the ocean's chemistry changes due to human activities. A study conducted by German scientists suggests that the ongoing acidification of the ocean could compromise the structural integrity of sharks’ teeth, which are vital for their survival.

The researchers discovered that the teeth of sharks, which regrow throughout their lives, become increasingly vulnerable as ocean acidity rises—a phenomenon closely linked to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As outlined in their research published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the study reveals significant damage to shark teeth exposed to projected acidity levels for the year 2300.

Maximilian Baum, a marine biologist involved in the study, emphasized that while sharks will not become toothless immediately, weaker teeth pose additional threats to a species already challenged by pollution and overfishing. We found there is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth, Baum noted. “Their whole ecological success in the ocean as the rulers of other populations could be in danger.”

Gradual Changes on the Horizon

As ocean acidification grows, conservationists recognize its impact on various marine species. The study revealed that teeth samples from blacktip reef sharks, gathered from an aquarium, suffered from cracks, holes, and structural degradation when subjected to more acidic conditions.

Sharks are known for their ability to replace lost teeth continuously, and these teeth are crucial for regulating marine ecosystems by controlling fish and marine mammal populations. Despite the potentially detrimental effects of acidification, experts like Nick Whitney from the New England Aquarium maintain that sharks have developed resilience throughout their 400 million-year evolutionary history.

Although the immediate threat of weaker teeth might not be pressing, overarching issues such as overfishing remain the foremost challenge to shark populations, according to Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research.

Beyond Sharks: A Broader Concern

The implications of ocean acidification are not limited to sharks; it is expected to have wide-ranging effects on marine environments, particularly on species like shellfish that struggle to build their shells in acidic waters. An equally worrisome aspect is the potential impact on fish scales, which could become more brittle, further altering the predator-prey dynamic in marine ecosystems.

Although sharks have historically adapted to changing environmental conditions, the present-day threats highlight the interconnectedness of marine health and biodiversity. Baum underscores the importance of understanding these evolving threats, signaling the need for awareness and conservation efforts to maintain the balance within ocean ecosystems.

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