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The climate crisis may be an existential threat to many species of shark. A new study has that the acidification of the world's oceans is sharks' teeth to decay. It is well known in the scientific community that increasing ocean acidity is calcified species like corals, molluscs, and sea urchins. This marine biologists to whether shark teeth are at similar risk. Lead author of the study, Maximilian Baum, whether "sharks that swim with their mouths open to their gills and have constant seawater exposure might also vulnerable". He that "even the teeth of apex predators show visible damage under acidified conditions".

Baum and his colleagues 42 teeth from 10 blacktip reef sharks at an aquarium in Germany. They the teeth in two separate water tanks for eight weeks. The salt water in one tank a pH level of 8.2, which is similar to current ocean averages. The water in the other tank more acidic, with a pH level of 7.3. Baum that the teeth in the more acidic water had "visible surface damage". This cracks and cavities, increased root decay, and structural deterioration. He ongoing damage could how sharks in the future. Such damage could potentially "domino effects" across the health of many marine ecosystems.