Shellfish in the Arctic Ocean could be wiped out if levels of acidity in the water continue to rise.
Researchers believe the Arctic Ocean will absorb 20 percent more carbon dioxide than expected in the 21st century, increasing the acidity of the water.
A recent study published in the scientific journal 'Nature' shows this could endanger shellfish and other organisms which have calcium carbonate shells.
When waters reach too high a level of acidity, these shells dissolve.
Co-author, Lester Kwiatkowski, says this could have negative effects on the food chain.
"Our results suggest that it will be more difficult for Arctic organisms to adapt to ocean acidification than previously expected," he said.
According to Science Daily, if shellfish are wiped out, this could impact the food chain all the way up to fish and marine mammals.
Acidification would impact waters between 200 and 1000 meters, a refuge for many marine organisms, phys.org reports.
