A shark losing their deadly bite doesn't initially sound like a bad thing. Many people fear the ocean because of that apex predator, and having their chances of being bitten lessened would prompt them to swim more freely in the water. However, there is more than your swimming leisure at stake here. Let's dive into what is affecting sharks and why their losing their deadly bites would not be a good thing.
Sharks May Be Losing Their Deadly Bites
Getty image by LITTLE DINOSAUR
First, let's examine what it means that sharks may be losing their deadly bites. It is not as if they suddenly lose their immense bite force or ability to operate their jaws. However, they may be losing something in the future — their teeth. That's right, the NY Post shares that "These apex predators are at risk of losing their teeth due to the increased acid content in the world's oceans." A study, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, discussed how this potential dental breakdown is likely to occur. When speaking with Science Daily, Maximilian Bau, the study's lead author, had this to say.
"Shark teeth, despite being composed of highly mineralized phosphates, are still vulnerable to corrosion under future ocean acidification scenarios."
To further understand just how much acidity is affecting sharks' teeth, German scientists gathered together and collected "600 teeth shed by blacktip reef sharks at an aquarium." From there, the scientists placed the teeth into two separate tanks of water. One tank had a pH level equivalent to that of the current ocean. The other had a pH of the expected level in the year 2300. This is assuming carbon emissions continue to rise at the current rate. What they found was astonishing. Although the shark's teeth are well adapted for slicing and tearing through flesh, they are not immune to ocean acid.
The NY Post shared that "This molar meltdown is especially problematic for species like the blacktip reef shark. This is because the species must swim with their mouths permanently open to breathe. Thus, this species of shark is constantly exposing their teeth to the acidic waters. The only potential saving grace is that living sharks are continually replacing their teeth. Therefore, they may be able to replace their damaged teeth.
Why Sharks Losing Their Deadly Bites Isn't A Good Thing
Although it sounds like a good thing for humans, sharks losing their deadly bites is actually quite terrifying. First and foremost, it is a sign of a larger problem. The acidic ocean waters are not only affecting sharks but also coral reefs and other organisms that rely on calcium bicarbonate. Coral reefs play a crucial role in the ocean's ecosystem. Reef World shares that without them, "25% of marine life would lose their habitat." Also, "coastal fishing industries would collapse, and medical breakthroughs would grind to a halt." Additionally, if sharks lose their teeth, the ocean and the world would suffer as well.
Planet Wild highlighted the importance of sharks by pointing out that if sharks were to go extinct, which would ultimately happen if they lost their teeth and could no longer eat, the consequences would be catastrophic. Sharks are one of the ocean's top predators; without them, there would be a population explosion of their typical prey. Animals such as fish, seals, and seabirds would overwhelm the oceans. Then, they would need to compete for resources and would create "a massive biological imbalance." Furthermore, "Their overpopulation would deplete resources further down the food chain, creating what is known as a trophic cascade and causing long-term damage to ecosystems."
So, while the idea of a shark not biting you sounds very appealing, trust me when I say you do not want sharks to lose their deadly bites.
