Climate change significantly impacts underwater archaeological sites in several ways:
- Rising Sea Levels – As sea levels rise, archaeological sites that were once in shallow waters may become harder to access and more vulnerable to erosion. Sites that were previously on land may become submerged.
- Ocean Acidification – Increased CO₂ in the atmosphere leads to more acidic seawater, which can corrode artifacts made of calcium carbonate, such as shipwrecks with coral growth, bones, and even some types of ceramics.
- Coastal Erosion & Stronger Storms – More frequent and intense storms disturb seabeds, shift sediments, and can expose or damage fragile artifacts. Coastal sites that are partially submerged are especially at risk.
- Changes in Marine Ecosystems – Shifts in marine biodiversity may alter the way biological organisms interact with underwater sites. For instance, wood-boring organisms (such as shipworms) might expand their range, accelerating the decay of wooden shipwrecks.
- Temperature Fluctuations – Warmer water temperatures may affect chemical reactions that contribute to the degradation of materials like metal, wood, and organic remains.
- Human Activities & Climate Response – As melting ice and rising seas open new navigational routes (such as in the Arctic), increased human activity in previously undisturbed areas could lead to accidental damage to archaeological sites.