Ocean acids to blame for  oyster seed failure

<p>Oyster larvae look like tiny grains of sand on this screen photographed in 2007 at the Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery, near Netarts, Ore., a facility owned by former Peninsula residents.</p>

WILLAPA BAY — Scientists are blaming slightly higher levels of carbon dioxide in Pacific Ocean waters linked to global warming for the failure of oyster larvae to survive in an Oregon hatchery.

They say increasing acidity in the water, brought on by the presence of more carbon dioxide, makes it harder for young oysters to form their shells, dooming them in a matter of days, even if they are moved to more favorable environments.

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