Archive Page 248

Impact on fertility rate and embryo-larval development due to the association acidification, ocean warming and lead contamination of a sea urchin Echinometra lucunter (echinodermata: echinoidea)

Published 4 May 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , ,

Ocean warming and acidification can cause deleterious effects on marine biota, which may be potentialized when associated with metal pollution. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of pH decrease, temperature increase and lead contamination on fertility rate and embryo-larval development of Echinometra lucunter. Gametes and embryos were exposed at pH 8.2 (control) and 7.5; at 26°C (control) and 28°C; and at lead concentrations of 0 (control), 125, 250 and 500 μg/L. These conditions were tested individually and in combination. The fertilization rate of E. lucunter was only significantly reduced in the treatments where temperature was increased and in the treatment where pH decreased. However, the development rate of the pluteus larvae was significantly affected in the majority of treatments: metal contamination in the higher concentration; decreased pH in all metal concentrations; increased temperature in the highest metal concentration; decreased pH and increased temperature and all variables combined, which is decreased pH, increased temperature and metal contamination in relation to the control group (C). The development test was shown to be more sensitive than the fertilization test in all the studied scenarios. In general, the present study suggests that pH decrease, temperature increase and metal pollution may have a significant impact on E. lucunter reproductive cycle.

Caetano L. S., Pereira T. M., Envangelista J. D., Cabral D. S., Coppo G. C., Alves de Souza L., Anderson A. B., Heringer O. A. & Chippari-Gomes A. R., in press. Impact on fertility rate and embryo-larval development due to the association acidification, ocean warming and lead contamination of a sea urchin Echinometra lucunter (echinodermata: echinoidea). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Article (subscription required).

Early career (PhD) positions for research into ocean alkalization and CO2 uptake

Published 4 May 2021 Jobs 2 Comments

Join a diverse team studying how the addition of alkalinity, produced during production of clean hydrogen fuel, can enhance the ocean’s uptake of CO2.

We are recruiting a team of early career researchers (including up to 4 PhD positions) with interest in environmental chemistry (#1 and #4 in figure), aquatic biology (#2-4), and marine physics (#3) to work within a unique, multidisciplinary team. The team will investigate the efficacy and impact of adding alkalinity to coastal seawater in order to increase the ocean’s capacity for removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The research will contribute to development of Planetary Hydrogen’s innovative co-production process, which aims to produce H2 as a clean fuel while decarbonizing our economy and contributing to Canada’s greenhouse gas reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement. For more details, please visit the project website (alkalinity.oceans.dal.ca) or contact the entire project team at: oceans@planetaryhydrogen.com.

Supervisors

  • Douglas Wallace
  • Hugh MacIntyre
  • Ruth Musgrave
  • Jeff Clements
  • Ramon Filgueira

Project Description and Opportunities

Hydroxide ion, generated as a byproduct of a novel process of hydrogen generation, can be used to increase the ocean’s ability to take up and store atmospheric CO2 in the form of dissolved bicarbonate. This alkalinity addition mimics the natural geochemical weathering reactions that have created the ocean’s massive reservoir of bicarbonate and carbonate ions, and can potentially benefit organisms that are vulnerable to ocean acidification, including commercially important shellfish.

Continue reading ‘Early career (PhD) positions for research into ocean alkalization and CO2 uptake’

Tidal action and macroalgal photosynthetic activity prevent coastal acidification in an eutrophic system within a semi-desert region

Published 3 May 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Highlights

  • Macroalgal photosynthesis (MP) controls daily pH variability during low tide.
  • Environmental factors control pH variability at seasonal scale.
  • Ulva lactuca photosynthetic activity increased the pH of seawater.
  • Macrotidal action and MP prevent coastal acidification in an eutrophic system.

Abstract

Nutrient input drive macroalgal blooms and increases in photosynthetic activity in coastal ecosystems. An intense macroalgal photosynthetic activity can increase the surrounding pH and it could prevent the acidification that often follows an eutrophication process. We tested this hypothesis with field sampling and experiments in a macrotidal (up to 9 m in amplitude) coastal system within a semi-desert region with contrasting eutrophic conditions and Ulva lactuca blooms in the northern Argentinean Patagonia (San Antonio Bay). Our results indicate that daily pH variability during low tide could be controlled by the photosynthetic activity of Ulva lactuca under eutrophic conditions. At seasonal scale, the pH variations were related to environmental features, particularly seawater temperature. Both environmental (i.e. high solar radiation, negligible freshwater inputs and, large tidal action) and anthropogenic nutrient inputs into the studied area promote the Ulva lactuca blooms, which in turn increases the surrounding pH in well oxygenated seawater through the intense photosynthetic activity. Our study shows that eutrophication instead of being a driver of acidification, could contribute to its prevention in well oxygenated marine coastal systems located within semi-desert regions.

Continue reading ‘Tidal action and macroalgal photosynthetic activity prevent coastal acidification in an eutrophic system within a semi-desert region’

Climate change impacts on pollutants mobilization and interactive effects of climate change and pollutants on toxicity and bioaccumulation of pollutants in estuarine and marine biota and linkage to seafood security

Published 3 May 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , ,

Highlights

  • Climate change would enhance the mobilization of pollutants.
  • Toxicity of pollutants to aquatic biota can increase with increasing climate change stressors.
  • Combined effects of climate change and pollutants can enhance bioaccumulation of pollutants in seafood organisms.

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the impacts of climate change stressors (temperature, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and hypoxia) on estuarine and marine biota (algae, crustaceans, molluscs, corals, and fish). It also assessed possible/likely interactive impacts (combined impacts of climate change stressors and pollutants) on pollutants mobilization, pollutants toxicity (effects on growth, reproduction, mortality) and pollutants bioaccumulation in estuarine and marine biota. An increase in temperature and extreme events may enhance the release, degradation, transportation, and mobilization of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic pollutants in the estuarine and marine environments. Based on the available pollutants’ toxicity trend data and information it reveals that the toxicity of several high-risk pollutants may increase with increasing levels of climate change stressors. It is likely that the interactive effects of climate change and pollutants may enhance the bioaccumulation of pollutants in seafood organisms. There is a paucity of literature relating to realistic interactive effects of climate change and pollutants. Therefore, future research should be directed towards the combined effects of climate change stressors and pollutants on estuarine and marine bota. A sustainable solution for pollution control caused by both greenhouse gas emissions (that cause climate change) and chemical pollutants would be required to safeguard the estuarine and marine biota.

Continue reading ‘Climate change impacts on pollutants mobilization and interactive effects of climate change and pollutants on toxicity and bioaccumulation of pollutants in estuarine and marine biota and linkage to seafood security’

Combined effects of ocean acidification and elevated temperature on feeding, growth, and physiological processes of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba

Published 30 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Antarctic krill Euphausia superba is a key species in the Southern Ocean, where its habitat is projected to undergo continued warming and increases in pCO2. Experiments during 2 summer field seasons at Palmer Station, Antarctica, investigated the independent and interactive effects of elevated temperature and pCO2 (decreased pH) on feeding, growth, acid-base physiology, metabolic rate, and survival of adult Antarctic krill. Ingestion and clearance rates of chlorophyll were depressed under low pH (7.7) compared to ambient pH (8.1) after a 48 h acclimation period, but this difference disappeared after a 21 d acclimation. Growth rates were negligible and frequently negative, but were significantly more negative at high (3°C, -0.03 mm d-1) compared to ambient temperature (0°C, -0.01 mm d-1) with no effect of pH. Modest elevations in tissue total CO2 and tissue pH were apparent at low pH but were short-lived. Metabolic rate increased with temperature but was suppressed at low pH in smaller but not larger krill. Although effects of elevated temperature and/or decreased pH were mostly sublethal, mortality was higher at high temperature/low pH (58%) compared to ambient temperature/pH or ambient temperature/low pH (>90%). This study identified 3 dominant patterns: (1) shorter-term effects were primarily pH-dependent; (2) krill compensated for lower pH relatively quickly; and (3) longer-term effects on krill growth and survival were strongly driven by temperature with little to no pH effect.

Continue reading ‘Combined effects of ocean acidification and elevated temperature on feeding, growth, and physiological processes of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba’

NJ signed an agreement yesterday to join the Ocean Acidification Alliance

Published 30 April 2021 Web sites and blogs Closed

NJ signed an agreement yesterday to join the Ocean Acidification Alliance.

This decision was informed by work done by Rutgers –

see report and infographic here.

Professor Grace Saba is a national expert on this topic and has led work in NJ and the Mid-Atlantic.

Continue reading ‘NJ signed an agreement yesterday to join the Ocean Acidification Alliance’

Scallop research share days: offshore wind, aquaculture, bycatch, biology projects on deck

Published 30 April 2021 Events Closed

The New England Fishery Management Council will be hosting two Scallop Research Share Days on Thursday, May 6, 2021 and Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Both sessions will be held by webinar and are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

Share Days provide an opportunity for award recipients of the Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program to “share” their findings with fishery managers and the public. This year, other scallop researchers who are conducting studies on topics that have been identified by the Council as research priorities also will have
the chance to share their work.

Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn said, “Scallop Research Share Days are a great opportunity for fishery managers and stakeholders to learn more about ongoing scallop research in our region. Expanding the scope of this event to include researchers outside of the Scallop RSA Program will help the Council determine where to focus future RSA priorities. I encourage anyone who’s interested in the scallop fishery to join both of the webinar sessions for this event and listen to the short overviews of the important scallop research that’s being conducted in our region.

The presentations will include talks on:
• The impacts of offshore wind development and ocean acidification on the scallop resource and fishery;
• Scallop recruitment, growth, aquaculture, and transplanting; and
• Conservation engineering and bycatch monitoring.

The wide range of topics will inform scallop managers of current research areas and help to identify future research needs. In June, the Council will set Scallop RSA research priorities for the 2022 and 2023 award cycle.

The Council annually “sets aside” 1.25 million pounds of scallop meats that can be used to support research in the fishery. The Council then determines research priorities for each award cycle. NOAA Fisheries manages the RSA competition and administers the program. The share day schedule and webinar registration information follow on the next two pages.

Ø May 6, 2021 Scallop Research Share Day Webinar: REGISTER HERE. Visit the Share Day webpage.
Ø May 12, 2021 Scallop Research Share Day Webinar: REGISTER HERE. Visit the Share Day webpage.

…

New England Fishery Management Council, 29 April 2021. More information.

Multiple ecological parameters affect living benthic foraminifera in the river-influenced west-central Bay of Bengal

Published 29 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , , ,

The huge riverine influx and associated processes decrease the ambient salinity, stratify the water column, modulate the oxygen-deficient zone, and are also responsible for the recent acidification in the Bay of Bengal. Here, we have studied the effect of these riverine influx-dominated ecological parameters on living benthic foraminifera in the west-central Bay of Bengal. We report that the pH below 7.6 in front of the Krishna river, reduces the diversity and the richness of living benthic foraminifera on the adjacent shelf and the slope. A similar decreased diversity and richness is also observed in front of the Godavari River. We delineate three prominent assemblages, representing different depth zones with associated distinct physico-chemical conditions. The shallow water assemblage (∼27–100 m) is represented by Nonionella labradorica, Hanzawaia nipponica, Brizalina dilatata, Ammonia tepida, and Nonionella limbato-striata. These species are adapted to relatively warmer temperatures and more oxygenated waters. The deepwater assemblage (∼1,940–2,494 m) includes Bulimina cf. delreyensis, Bulimina marginata, Hormosinella guttifera, Cassidulina laevigata, and Gyroidinoides subzelandica and can tolerate a relatively colder temperature. The intermediate-depth assemblage (∼145–1,500 m) dominated by Eubuliminella exilis, Bolivinellina earlandi, Fursenkoina spinosa, Bolivinellina lucidopunctata, Globobulimina globosa, Fursenkoina spinosa, Eubuliminella cassandrae, Uvigerina peregrina, Rotaliatinopsis semiinvoluta, and Cassidulina laevigata, represents oxygen-deficient and organic carbon-rich environment. Besides the pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and organic matter, we also report a strong influence of bathymetry, coarse fraction (CF) and the type of organic matter on a few living benthic foraminifera. The ecological preferences of 40 such dominant living benthic foraminifera, each representing a specific environment, have also been reported for site-specific proxy. We conclude that although the huge riverine influx affects living benthic foraminifera on the shelf, the dissolved oxygen and organic carbon mostly control benthic foraminiferal distribution in the deeper west-central Bay of Bengal.

Continue reading ‘Multiple ecological parameters affect living benthic foraminifera in the river-influenced west-central Bay of Bengal’

Seasonal photophysiological performance of adult western Baltic Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae) under ocean warming and acidification

Published 29 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Shallow coastal marine ecosystems are exposed to intensive warming events in the last decade, threatening keystone macroalgal species such as the bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus, Phaeophyceae) in the Baltic Sea. Herein, we experimentally tested in four consecutive benthic mesocosm experiments, if the single and combined impact of elevated seawater temperature (Δ + 5°C) and pCO2 (1100 ppm) under natural irradiance conditions seasonally affected the photophysiological performance (i.e., oxygen production, in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence, energy dissipation pathways and chlorophyll concentration) of Baltic Sea Fucus. Photosynthesis was highest in spring/early summer when water temperature and solar irradiance increases naturally, and was lowest in winter (December to January/February). Temperature had a stronger effect than pCO2 on photosynthetic performance of Fucus in all seasons. In contrast to the expectation that warmer winter conditions might be beneficial, elevated temperature conditions and sub-optimal low winter light conditions decreased photophysiological performance of Fucus. In summer, western Baltic Sea Fucus already lives close to its upper thermal tolerance limit and future warming of the Baltic Sea during summer may probably become deleterious for this species. However, our results indicate that over most of the year a combination of future ocean warming and increased pCO2 will have slightly positive effects for Fucus photophysiological performance.

Continue reading ‘Seasonal photophysiological performance of adult western Baltic Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae) under ocean warming and acidification’

Ease into climate change instruction through ocean acidification

Published 29 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: ,

Although climate change garners the bulk of headlines, ocean acidification is an equally important issue that also results from our increasing consumption of fossil fuels. As atmospheric CO2 dissolves into the ocean, the ocean’s pH decreases, making it increasingly difficult for organisms that build calcium carbonate skeletons to grow and thrive. Given that these marine calcifiers – such as corals, snails, shellfish, crustaceans, and plankton – often form the base of oceanic food webs and are habitat and food resources for larger oceanic plants and animals (including humans), ocean acidification poses a serious threat. In this article, we present a series of investigations that provide evidence that increases in anthropogenic sources of CO2 contribute to the acidification of the ocean, and that an increasingly acidic ocean can negatively impact marine calcifiers.

Continue reading ‘Ease into climate change instruction through ocean acidification’

The Bocats2 project returns to the North Atlantic to analyze circulation and ocean acidification

Published 29 April 2021 Web sites and blogs Closed
Gabriel Rosón together with researchers Irene Alejo and Miguel Ángel Nombela, who also participate in the project.
Gabriel Rosón together with researchers Irene Alejo and Miguel Ángel Nombela, who also participate in the project.

The ocean, an essential element in the evolution of the climate, currently accumulates 93% of the excess heat and 31% of the excess CO2 generated by human activity. The European climate in general, and the Iberian Peninsula in particular, is influenced in a very relevant way by the southern return circulation (CRM), which transports the warm surface waters to the north and the cold deep waters #face the south and play a crucial role in the climate system, as it facilitates the redistribution of the planet’s heat, water and carbon dioxide. In fact, the southern return circulation significantly amplifies the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 (generated by human activity), exceeding the mean oceanic value by more than 50%. But there are several studies that confirm the recent weakening of this circulation, a phenomenon that according to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC, 2019) is expected to be more pronounced in the coming decades.

However, the IPCC itself recognizes that there is a lack of observations to be able to quantify the magnitude of this reduction and it is in this context that the subproject Bocats2 arises (Biennial observation of carbon, acidification, transport and sedimentation in the North Atlantic) , led by CIM researchers Guillermo Francés (Geological and Bioxeochemical Oceanography group) and Gabriel Rosón (Physical Oceanography Group). The main objective of this initiative is “to continue with the observational monitoring (recent and past) of ocean circulation and acidification in the North Atlantic, essential to advance in the accurate detection of anthropogenic impact and to improve the projections of the adjusted climate models that support the IPCC reports for the subpolar turn of the North Atlantic (SPNA), a region known for its strong influence on the European climate.

Continue reading ‘The Bocats2 project returns to the North Atlantic to analyze circulation and ocean acidification’

Ocean Visions’ experts to advise/evaluate innovation tackling ocean acidification

Published 29 April 2021 Projects , Web sites and blogs Closed

Pilot project will develop new electrochemical approach to mitigate ocean acidification and enhance ocean-based carbon sequestration

Ocean Visions today announced an advisory relationship with The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University to pilot and evaluate a new approach aimed at mitigating ocean acidification and enhancing ocean carbon sequestration. The project, Safe Elevation of Alkalinity for the Mitigation of Acidification Through Electrochemistry (SEA MATE), will use electrochemistry to remove acids from the ocean.

During the 2021 phase of the pilot, SEA MATE will prototype an acid removal technique to combat ocean acidification. An additional anticipated benefit of the SEA MATE process is the capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide and its safe long-term sequestration in the ocean as bicarbonate. Ocean Visions has assembled an Expert Team to provide scientific review and guidance on the design of experiments, data analysis, hypothesis testing, and safe operating thresholds. The team will ultimately produce an independent evaluation of the overall potential of the approach, including environmental costs and benefits.

Continue reading ‘Ocean Visions’ experts to advise/evaluate innovation tackling ocean acidification’

Implementation of large-scale pervasive ocean acidity monitoring using a distributed system of autonomous mobile robots

Published 29 April 2021 Projects , Web sites and blogs Closed

Lead Pi: Dick Yue · 02/2021 – 01/2023

MIT

Project number: 2021-R/RRHC-001

Strategic Focus Area: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Objectives: The key objective of this proposal is to employ a state-of-the-art autonomous sensing swarm and leverage its mobility to obtain relevant measurements (temperature, pH, salinity) of the ocean surface (continuously optimally positioned sensors). The buoys communicate with each other and form an intelligent swarm that is capable of obtaining a more accurate reconstruction of an underlying environmental field than non-collaborative sensors or a small number of high-quality sensors could provide. The sensed data (temperature, pH, salinity), obtained at key areas tracking large gradients, will be provided to support multi-fidelity models to improve the prediction of ocean acidification in Mass Bay.

Methodology: We will use 30 fully instrumented autonomous mobile buoys as a part of a smart swarm system to measure surface temperature, salinity and pH data. The field tests will be conducted at Stellwagen Bank, MA, covering the area of 10~100 km^2 deployed for weeks at a time.

Rationale: Ocean acidification (OA) is threatening marine ecosystems and maritime food industry. Monitoring OA involves collecting data over a long period of time from a large number of measuring stations. Distributed systems are a cost-effective strategy for pervasive and persistent measuring and monitoring of environmental fields. They offer unparalleled system robustness, and with our proposed framework, would exhibit real-time collaborative distributed computing capabilities that would lead to much higher measured data quality.

Continue reading ‘Implementation of large-scale pervasive ocean acidity monitoring using a distributed system of autonomous mobile robots’

Contrasted release of insoluble elements (Fe, Al, rare earth elements, Th, Pa) after dust deposition in seawater: a tank experiment approach

Published 28 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , ,

Lithogenic elements such as aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), rare earth elements (REEs), thorium (232Th and 230Th, given as Th) and protactinium (Pa) are often assumed to be insoluble. In this study, their dissolution from Saharan dust reaching Mediterranean seawater was studied through tank experiments over 3 to 4 d under controlled conditions including controls without dust addition as well as dust seeding under present and future climate conditions (+3 ∘C and −0.3 pH). Unfiltered surface seawater from three oligotrophic regions (Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionian Sea and Algerian Basin) were used. The maximum dissolution was low for all seeding experiments: less than 0.3 % for Fe, 1 % for 232Th and Al, about 2 %–5 % for REEs and less than 6 % for Pa. Different behaviors were observed: dissolved Al increased until the end of the experiments, Fe did not dissolve significantly, and Th and light REEs were scavenged back on particles after a fast initial release. The constant 230Th/232Th ratio during the scavenging phase suggests that there is little or no further dissolution after the initial Th release. Quite unexpectedly, comparison of present and future conditions indicates that changes in temperature and/or pH influence the release of Th and REEs in seawater, leading to lower Th release and a higher light REE release under increased greenhouse conditions.

Continue reading ‘Contrasted release of insoluble elements (Fe, Al, rare earth elements, Th, Pa) after dust deposition in seawater: a tank experiment approach’

Morphological properties of gastropod shells in a warmer and more acidic future ocean using 3D micro-computed tomography

Published 28 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , ,

The increased absorption of atmospheric CO2 by the ocean reduces pH and affects the carbonate chemistry of seawater, thus interfering with the shell formation processes of marine calcifiers. The present study aims to examine the effects of ocean acidification and warming on the shell morphological properties of two intertidal gastropod species, Nassarius nitidus and Columbella rustica. The experimental treatments lasted for 3 months and combined a temperature increase of 3°C and a pH reduction of 0.3 units. The selected treatments reflected the high emissions (RCP 8.5) “business as usual” scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change models for eastern Mediterranean. The morphological and architectural properties of the shell, such as density, thickness and porosity were examined using 3D micro-computed tomography, which is a technique giving the advantage of calculating values for the total shell (not only at specific points) and at the same time leaving the shells intact. Nassarius nitidus had a lower shell density and thickness and a higher porosity when the pH was reduced at ambient temperature, but the combination of reduced pH and increased temperature did not have a noticeable effect in comparison to the control. The shell of Columbella rustica was less dense, thinner and more porous under acidic and warm conditions, but when the temperature was increased under ambient pH the shells were thicker and denser than the control. Under low pH and ambient temperature, shells showed no differences compared to the control. The vulnerability of calcareous shells to ocean acidification and warming appears to be variable among species. Plasticity of shell building organisms as an acclimation action toward a continuously changing marine environment needs to be further investigated focusing on species or shell region specific adaptation mechanisms.

Continue reading ‘Morphological properties of gastropod shells in a warmer and more acidic future ocean using 3D micro-computed tomography’

Elevated CO2 influences competition for growth, photosynthetic performance and biochemical composition in Neopyropia yezoensis and Ulva prolifera

Published 28 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , ,

Highlights

  • The growth of Neopyropia yezoensis was significantly inhibited by Ulva prolifera.
  • Elevated CO2 enhanced the resistance of N. yezoensis to the effect of U. prolifera.
  • Elevated CO2 increased the competitive ability of U. prolifera.

Abstract

The occurrence of various marine macroalgae in the same niche will inevitably lead to interspecific competition due to similar environmental requirements. With the increasing global atmospheric CO2 concentration, the resulting ocean acidification can potentially influence competition among macroalgae in the future. Neopyropia yezoensis (Rhodophyta, formerly Pyropia yezoensis) and the epiphytic alga Ulva prolifera (Chlorophyta) were selected for investigating competition among macroalgae grown under different CO2 conditions. The results showed that when cultured with U. prolifera, N. yezoensis‘ growth rate was significantly inhibited along with a sharp decrease in net photosynthetic rate. Although CO2 decreased the growth rate of N. yezoensis, it enhanced the resistance of the alga to the allelopathic effect of U. prolifera. While no difference was found between U. prolifera grown in monoculture and biculture, strong competitive ability was observed. CO2 could enhance this ability with higher net photosynthetic rate. However, CO2 significantly inhibited the carotenoid synthesis in both plants. This inhibition in N. yezoensis was more pronounced in the presence of U. prolifera. Biculture promoted the accumulation of soluble protein in N. yezoensis while it inhibited the process in U. prolifera. In addition, it enhanced the inhibitory effect of acidification on soluble carbohydrates of both plants. Elevated CO2 levels alleviated the competition between N. yezoensis and U. prolifera, but the latter can become the more competitive epiphytic alga which can impact the future of nori culture.

Continue reading ‘Elevated CO2 influences competition for growth, photosynthetic performance and biochemical composition in Neopyropia yezoensis and Ulva prolifera’

New policy handbook to help governments fight ocean acidification (text & video)

Published 28 April 2021 Web sites and blogs Closed

A new policy handbook, launched today, will help Commonwealth governments put in place strategies to tackle ocean acidification – a key aspect of climate change.

Ocean acidification happens when the sea absorbs excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, primarily caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

This leads to an increase in the acidity of the ocean, affecting the lifecycles and biology of certain marine species, and in turn, threatening the entire food web as well as the lives and livelihoods of communities that depend on these ocean resources.

Continue reading ‘New policy handbook to help governments fight ocean acidification (text & video)’

Surf and science collide with fine artist Justin Prough’s Shallows now showing at TAG Gallery

Published 28 April 2021 Events Closed

Collecting shells with his son inspired sculptor and surfer Justin Prough’s futurist approach to a new series of sculptures, reliefs, and digital works. The artist’s reimagined seascapes display at TAG Gallery on Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile, April 13-May 8.

LOS ANGELES — Rediscover the beauty of our coastal waters with sculptor Justin Prough’s Shallows. Inspired by the spiraling shells, alien bones, and sea-weathered driftwood collected with his children along the world’s beaches, the artist creates a potential future that considers a shared ecology between man and mollusk.

Artist Justin Prough captures a futurist approach with his new series of sculptures, reliefs, and digital works on display now at TAG Gallery. [Photo Credit: Justin Prough]

“Humanity’s chemistry experiment is reshaping Earth’s air and water, more quickly than at any other time in our planet’s history,” states Prough, a long-time coastal resident and surfer. “Decades of fossil fuel burning, and other man-made air pollutants are carried by winds and mixed into coastal waters causing chemical reactions that threaten vast coastal ecosystems.”

In Shallows, Prough’s assemblage pieces use seashore debris to craft fantastic, fine art seascapes. Concerned with the ecology behind his creations, Prough catalogued the artifacts, noting the location and species of each find. Art and science became an instructional and informative tool for the artist as Prough made many of his discoveries with his son and daughter. Ocean acidification is a primary focus for the show, as many of the found shells used in each sculpture are endangered by continued sea temperature and chemistry changes. 

“I dream of a time where we once again live in harmony with nature,” continues the artist. “My sculptures imagine future seascapes and whimsical, biomechanical structures as a way to connect us to our present world and encourage change for a better tomorrow.”

Shallows, a solo fine art exhibit from Prough, displays at TAG Gallery in Los Angeles, April 13-May 8. Register for the free virtual artist talk occurs Friday, April 30, 6pm PT, with guest speaker Dr. Sarah Cooley, Director of Climate Science at Ocean Conservancy®. Additional exhibitions from artists Sküt, with Deep and Wild, and Douglas Teiger, with Spectrum, also exhibit at TAG.

Prough is an award-winning, Los Angeles-area creative director and artist. Building upon the surfing and skateboarding culture of his youth, the artist is often found with his family along Surfrider Beach, County Line, and El Porto.

CISION PR Newswire, 27 April 2021. Article.

Cross‐generational response of a tropical sea urchin to global change and a selection event in a 43‐month mesocosm study

Published 27 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Long‐term experimental investigations of transgenerational plasticity (TGP) and transgenerational acclimatization to global change are sparse in marine invertebrates. Here, we test the effect of ocean warming and acidification over a 25‐month period of Echinometra sp. A sea urchins whose parents were acclimatized at ambient or one of two near‐future (projected mid‐ and end‐ of the 21st century) climate scenarios for 18 months. Several parameters linked to performance exhibited strong effects of future ocean conditions at 9 months of age. The Ambient‐Ambient group (A‐A, both F0 and F1 at ambient conditions) was significantly larger (21%) and faster in righting response (31%) compared to other groups. A second set of contrasts revealed near‐future scenarios caused significant negative parental carryover effects. Respiration at 9 months was depressed by 59% when parents were from near‐future climate conditions, and righting response was slowed by 28%. At ten months, a selective pathogenic mortality event lead to significantly higher survival rates of A‐A urchins. Differences in size and respiration measured prior to the mortality were absent after the event, while a negative parental effect on righting (29% reduction) remained. The capacity to spawn at the end of the experiment was higher in individuals with ambient parents (50%) compared to other groups (21%) suggesting persistent parental effects. Obtaining different results at different points in time illustrates the importance of longer‐term and multi‐generation studies to investigate effects of climate change. Given some animals in all groups survived the pathogenic event and that effects on physiology (but not behavior) among groups were eliminated after the mortality, we suggest that similar events could constitute selective sweeps, allowing genetic adaptation. However, given the observed negative parental effects and reduced potential for population replenishment it remains to be determined if selection would be sufficiently rapid to rescue this species from climate change effects.

Continue reading ‘Cross‐generational response of a tropical sea urchin to global change and a selection event in a 43‐month mesocosm study’

Biogeochemical feedbacks to ocean acidification in a cohesive photosynthetic sediment

Published 27 April 2021 Science Closed
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Ecosystem feedbacks in response to ocean acidification can amplify or diminish the diel pH oscillations that characterize productive coastal waters. We report that benthic microalgae generate such oscillations in the porewater of cohesive sediment and ask how carbonation (acidification) of the overlying seawater alters these in the absence and presence of biogenic calcite. To do so, we placed a 1-mm layer of ground oyster shells (Treatment) or sand (Control) onto intact sediment cores free of large dwelling fauna, and then gradually increased the pCO2 in the seawater above half of the Treatment and Control cores from 472 to 1216 μatm (pH 8.0 to 7.6, CO2:HCO3 from 4.8 to 9.6 x 10-4). Vertical porewater [O2] and [H+] microprofiles measured 16 d later showed that this carbonation had decreased O2 penetration in all cores, indicating a metabolic response. In carbonated seawater: (1) sediment biogeochemical processes added and removed more H+ to and from the porewater in darkness and light, respectively, than in ambient seawater increasing the amplitude of the dark–light porewater [H+] oscillations, and (2) the dissolution of calcite decreased the porewater [H+] below that in overlying seawater, reversing the dark sediment–seawater H+ flux and decreasing the amplitude of diel [H+] oscillations. This dissolution did not, however, counter the negative effect of carbonation on sediment O2 penetration. We hypothesise that the latter effect and the observed enhanced acidification of the sediment porewater were caused by an ecosystem feedback: a CO2-induced increase in the microbial reoxidation of reduced solutes with O2.

Continue reading ‘Biogeochemical feedbacks to ocean acidification in a cohesive photosynthetic sediment’

Subscribe

Search

  • Reset

OA-ICC Highlights

Resources