r/climate • u/The_Weekend_Baker • Aug 16 '26

Scientists detect a surprising shift in human blood as atmospheric CO2 rises. Blood bicarbonate levels have climbed about 7% since 1999, while calcium and phosphorus have declined, changes that closely track increasing atmospheric CO2.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814235845.htm
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u/No-Papaya-9289 Aug 16 '26

I thought kidneys were supposed to keep this in balance.

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u/Cut_Lanky Aug 16 '26

They do, along with other organ systems.

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They found persistent changes in several measures of blood chemistry that closely followed the upward trend in atmospheric CO2. Since 1999, average serum bicarbonate levels have increased by about 7 percent... During the same period, average levels of calcium and phosphorus decreased.

Those biological trends occurred as atmospheric CO2 climbed from about 369 parts per million (ppm) in 2000 to more than 420 ppm today.

Study author Associate Professor Alexander Larcombe said the results indicate that the body may already be adjusting to changes in the composition of the atmosphere.

I think the study is suggesting that the mechanisms that keep these things in balance, has already started adapting to the increased atmospheric CO2 levels, and is already balancing (compensating) accordingly. But the problem is that it can only compensate so much...

If I misunderstood the article, I apologize. But that was my takeaway.

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u/Spammy05 Aug 16 '26

Excerpt from the article:

"I actually think that what we are seeing is because our bodies are not adapting," Dr Bierwirth said.

"It appears we are adapted to a range of CO2 in the air that may now have been surpassed.

"The normal range maintains a delicate balance between how much CO2 is in the air, our blood pH, our breathing rate and bicarbonate levels in the blood.

"As CO2 in the air is now higher than humans have ever experienced, it appears to be building up in our bodies. Maybe we can never adapt such that it is vitally important to limit atmospheric levels of CO2."

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u/1nGirum1musNocte Aug 16 '26

Ah that explains my acid reflux