The Threat of Ocean Acidification on Shark Teeth

Fri Jan 16 2026 16:16:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent study reveals how rising ocean acidity could jeopardize the structural integrity of sharks' teeth, posing risks to their survival as top predators in marine ecosystems.

Research conducted by German scientists indicates that increased ocean acidity, caused by human activities, could weaken sharks' formidable teeth, which are critical for their predatory status. Published in 'Frontiers in Marine Science,' the study highlights potential long-term ecological implications for sharks, while also noting that overfishing remains one of their most significant threats.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sharks are the ocean's apex predators, primarily thanks to their sharp, regenerating teeth. However, a new study suggests that the ongoing acidification of oceans could compromise these essential tools for survival.

Researchers from Germany have revealed that rising ocean acidity, spurred by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, can result in damage to shark teeth. As the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide, its acidity level is projected to increase significantly by the year 2300.

Maximilian Baum, the study's lead author and marine biologist at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, emphasized that while sharks will not instantly lose their teeth, their growing vulnerability represents another challenge for these already threatened species.

“We found there is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth,” Baum stated. “Their ecological dominance could be in jeopardy.”

Gradual Changes Expected

The research findings, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, shed light on the acceleration of ocean acidification as a pressing issue for conservationists. The study is critical as the ocean’s acidity may become almost ten times higher in the coming centuries.

Over 600 discarded teeth from blacktip reef sharks were examined, revealing that exposure to acidic water results in structural damage like cracks and root corrosion. The results pose significant implications on the morphological integrity of teeth critical for hunting and regulating marine populations.

Sharks Remain Apex Predators

Despite these alarming findings, Nick Whitney, senior scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, reassured that sharks have evolved mechanisms to cope with environmental changes. As they possess unique adaptations and regularly replace their teeth, the immediate impact of acidification may take time to manifest.

However, Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, highlighted ongoing overfishing as a more immediate threat to shark populations, which face extinction risks with over a third of species currently endangered.

The Bigger Picture

Beyond sharks, ocean acidification threatens marine life on multiple levels, especially shelled organisms like oysters and clams that struggle to develop shells in acidic conditions. The increase in acidity may also alter the vulnerable fish populations that sharks depend upon.

While the evolutionary success of sharks may hinge on the development of their teeth, scientists stress that swift conservation measures are needed to protect these apex predators and their complex ecosystems from compounding environmental threats.