Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are critical foundation species in estuaries, providing numerous ecological and economic benefits. However, oyster populations have diminished worldwide. Effective oyster restoration and aquaculture require a mechanistic understanding of the physiological and environmental factors that govern oyster feeding, growth, and resilience under changing coastal conditions. We investigated how oyster ploidy and environmental conditions influenced oyster feeding and investigated how changes in abiotic conditions affected behavioral performance of oyster drills (Stramonita spp.), a key oyster predator. To better understand feeding responses and behaviors of both predator and prey we 1) used in-situ filter feeding assays to determine feeding differences existed amongst diploid and triploid oysters, 2) gathered a baseline for growth and in-situ feeding rates of oysters across Mississippi Sound in the Northern Gulf in the Spring, Summer, and Fall, 3) simulated present-day and projected future pH conditions (7.0-8.8) to analyze oyster feeding responses, and 4) introduced oyster drills to acidified conditions (7.0-8.8) to monitor behavior and foraging rates. Diploid oysters exhibited higher overall feeding rates, yet equivalent absorption efficiency between ploidies demonstrates a difference in energy allocation which might be the key to triploids’ ability to grow quickly. These findings highlight the role of intrinsic genetic and physiological traits in shaping oyster performance and provide a baseline for interpreting responses to environmental variability. Across spatial and seasonal variation in oyster in-situ feeding and growth across three contrasting sites in Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound, in the Northern Gulf on the western border of Alabama and Mississippi, results revealed strong spatial and seasonal variability in feeding and growth. This was driven primarily by seston composition and salinity. Under present-day and projected future ocean acidification conditions, overall oyster feeding rates declined with lower pH’s, absorption efficiency remained stable, suggesting partial physiological compensation. These results indicate that pH can impose sublethal constraints on energy acquisition and growth, with individual variability at extreme pH highlighting potential acclimation or tolerance thresholds. When subjecting the oyster’s predator, the oyster drill, to similar pH conditions (7.0-8.8) experimental results indicate that decreased pH may increase drill foraging times. Behaviors like inactivity and climbing out of the water indicate a stress response under both high and low pH, demonstrating the complexity of predicting predator-prey outcomes under more acidic conditions. Collectively, these chapters demonstrate that oyster feeding, growth, and survival are shaped by both intrinsic traits, such as ploidy, and extrinsic factors including environmental variability and ocean acidification. Understanding the interplay between physiological plasticity, seston quality, and predator-prey interactions is essential for informing restoration and aquaculture strategies that sustain ecological function and the ecosystem services oysters provide.
Continue reading ‘Feeding and excreting ecology in coastal systems’Posts Tagged 'laboratory'
Feeding and excreting ecology in coastal systems
Published 26 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, community composition, growth, laboratory, mollusks, morphology, mortality, otherprocess, performance, physiology
Demonstration of an automated bioreactor for controlled acid dosing to enhance marine algae productivity
Published 26 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: algae, biological response, fisheries, laboratory, socio-economy
Microalgae are an important feedstock in aquaculture with significant economic potential in generating a diversity of bioproducts. To facilitate expansion of microalgal cultivation, a continuous automated bioreactor that uses waste acid to increase carbon bioavailability in seawater for enhanced biomass production was designed and tested with Tetraselmis suecica UTEX2286. Carbon bioavailability was inferred from culture pH and bioreactor headspace CO2 concentration measurements and controlled via acidification and seawater dilution. Operating over a period of several days, the culture exhibited greater biomass productivity at a pH setpoint of 7-7.5. Outside of this range, algal activity slowed, accompanied by greater CO2 released to the headspace and lower pH during incubation. Increasing the carbon introduced to the bioreactor by increasing the dilution factor did not significantly increase the algal productivity. Importantly, acidification led to statistically significant gains in biomass productivity. Preliminary cost analysis showed while seawater is inexpensive, the acid cost drives the overall cost of the designed bioreactor system. Thus, the designed bioreactor and control scheme supports algal cultivation but requires low-cost acid to be economical, which may be achieved by strategically integrating microalgae cultivation with other coastal industries.
Continue reading ‘Demonstration of an automated bioreactor for controlled acid dosing to enhance marine algae productivity’Microbial communities associated with two populations of the sponge Chondrilla nucula under present and projected climate conditions in the Aegean Sea
Published 25 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, BRcommunity, community composition, laboratory, Mediterranean, molecular biology, otherprocess, porifera, prokaryotes
This data paper describes bacterial and fungal communities associated with the sponge Chondrilla nucula collected from two Eastern Mediterranean populations (North and South Aegean Sea) and maintained under controlled common-garden conditions simulating present and projected climate scenarios over a period of 3 months. Microbial composition was characterised using two complementary ribosomal marker approaches: Illumina (MiSeq) sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for Bacteria and Oxford Nanopore (MinION) sequencing of a long 18S-ITS-28S rRNA fragment for Fungi. A total of 24 sponge libraries (3 climate conditions x 2 populations x 4 biological replicates) along with six control libraries (water from three experimental tanks, extraction and PCR blanks) were constructed for each group of microsymbionts. The resulting reads were processed using custom and publicly available bioinformatic pipelines and databases, followed by initial taxonomic assignment. This dataset represents the first fungal community associated with C. nucula and the first bacterial community for this species from the Aegean Sea.
Continue reading ‘Microbial communities associated with two populations of the sponge Chondrilla nucula under present and projected climate conditions in the Aegean Sea’Carbon allocation strategy of Thalassiosira weissflogii in response to elevated pCO2
Published 25 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: adaptation, biological response, laboratory, molecular biology, otherprocess, photosynthesis, physiology, phytoplankton
Diatoms are of significance in the marine ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in the sustenance of marine life and the transfer of carbon from the surface ocean to deeper waters. Although numerous studies have investigated the effects of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) on marine diatoms across both short- and long-term adaptation scales, the molecular mechanisms governing chitin metabolism in response to ocean acidification remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed an integrated approach combining transcriptomic, metabolomic, and physiological analyses to examine the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii following 40-day acclimation to high-CO2 conditions. Physiological studies have demonstrated that ocean acidification has the capacity to result in an augmentation of the C/N ratio, chitin content, maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm), and photosynthetic pigment content of T. weissflogii. Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence dynamics further demonstrated enhanced primary photochemical efficiency of PSII in the acidified treatment group. Consistent with this, the transcriptome results also showed that the photosynthesis-related pathways were upregulated to meet the increased material and energy requirements after adaptation to elevated CO2 levels. More importantly, it was determined that acidification treatment resulted in the upregulation of chitin synthesis and the downregulation of chitin degradation in T. weissflogii, consequently leading to an augmentation in chitin content. These findings indicate that ocean acidification (high CO2, low pH) prompts T. weissflogii to prioritize the allocation of carbon resources to the synthesis of chitin. The synthesis of chitin may reinforce cell wall formation as an adaptive response to ocean acidification. Our research provides new insights into the marine acidification adaptation strategies of T. weissflogii.
Continue reading ‘Carbon allocation strategy of Thalassiosira weissflogii in response to elevated pCO2’Present and future seawater CO2 chemistry across multiple coral reef habitats and scales at Dongsha Atoll and Taiping Island in the South China Sea
Published 22 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biogeochemistry, chemistry, corals, field, laboratory, North Pacific, sensor
Coral reefs consist of diverse benthic habitats that influence seawater CO2 chemistry variability on multiple spatial and temporal scales. Understanding the present-day seawater CO2 chemistry variability across both habitat-specific and reef-wide scales is critical to accurately predict the effects of future environmental change. Here, we utilize autonomous sensors and discrete seawater samples across diverse habitats at multiple scales ranging from habitat-specific (inner lagoon, patch reefs and seagrass beds; 0.02–0.72km2) to reef-wide scales at Dongsha Atoll (250km2) and Taiping Island (20km2) to characterize seawater chemistry. Across all habitats, daily mean pH ranged from 7.79–8.60 with mean diel variability ranging from 0.19–0.91. Spatially, pH variability ranged from 0.08 (patch reef) to 1.29 (inner lagoon). Biogeochemical modification of seawater chemistry was dominated by organic carbon cycling at individual habitat scales, whereas inorganic carbon cycling dominated at the scale of Dongsha Atoll. The largest alkalinity depletion (net calcification) was associated with patch reef habitats, whereas the highest alkalinity repletion was associated with a semi-enclosed lagoon. Under two climate change scenarios (linear dissolved inorganic carbon increase derived from historical observations and the CMIP6 SSP5-8.5 pathway), pH and/or aragonite saturation state (ΩAr) observations across all habitats in this study are projected to be below proposed thresholds for net reef accretion (pH < 7.7: inner lagoon ~ 10–13%; seagrass beds ~ 21–44%; patch reefs ~ 0–100%; atoll-wide ~ 4–98% of observations) or net dissolution (ΩAr < 2.92: inner lagoon ~ 10–18%; seagrass beds ~ 44–75%; patch reefs ~ 77–100%; atoll-wide ~ 94–100% of observations) by the year 2100. The results highlight the importance of habitat-specific and scale-conscious assessments of future coral reef environmental conditions.
Continue reading ‘Present and future seawater CO2 chemistry across multiple coral reef habitats and scales at Dongsha Atoll and Taiping Island in the South China Sea’Immunosuppression and gill damage of acidification and hypoxia on the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas
Published 22 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, mollusks, mortality, physiology
Highlights
- Combined acidification and hypoxia trigger significant mortality in Magallana gigas.
- Seawater acidification suppresses the nonspecific immune response in Magallana gigas.
- Gill histopathology and immunosuppression are most pronounced with combined exposure.
Abstract
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to oxygen depletion and increased acidification in marine areas worldwide. The combined effects of these two stressors on the health of commercially important bivalves have not been sufficiently studied. We experimentally studied the effects of water acidification in combination with normoxic and hypoxic conditions on the parameters of cellular immunity and the gills microstructure of the Magallana gigas. We evaluated the hemolymph cellular composition, the total number and phagocytosis capacity of hemocytes, and also evaluated the histopathology of oyster gills during an 8-day experimental period. The oysters were exposed to low pH conditions (7.3), either under normoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen concentration of 8.0 mg/L) or hypoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen concentration of 2.0 mg/L). The parameters were assessed at days 1, 3, 6, and 8 of the experiment. It was shown that acidification of the aquatic environment causes significant suppression of oyster immunity in both normoxia and hypoxia, leading to a decrease in phagocytic capacity and ROS production by hemocytes. The combined effect of these factors increased the negative impact, ultimately leading to the oyster death at the end of the experiment. In addition, the effects of acidification caused serious and progressive histopathological damage to the oyster gills, while the most severe and frequent pathologies, such as almost complete expansion of the water chambers and severe dilation of the hemal sinuses, were caused by the combined effects of acidification and hypoxia. Therefore, the synergistic impact of acidification and hypoxia poses a substantial threat to oyster health.
Continue reading ‘Immunosuppression and gill damage of acidification and hypoxia on the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas’Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of calmodulin and calmodulin-like (CaM and CML) gene family in Magallana gigas
Published 21 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, molecular biology, mollusks
Highlights
- 7 CaM family members and 55 CML family members were identified in Magallana gigas.
- MgCaM and MgCML genes showed tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific expression patterns.
- Distinct expression patterns emerged under heat and acidification stresses.
Abstract
Ca2+ is a multifunctional second messenger that can regulate the activities of hormones and environmental signals related to biotic and abiotic stresses, playing a role in a wide range of cellular processes and influencing almost all aspects of life. In organisms, calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin-like proteins (CML) can sense and decode the regulatory signals of Ca2+ through the EF-hand (a helix-loop-helix structure) domain. In this study, 7 CaM family members and 55 CML family members were identified in Magallana gigas. All MgCaM and MgCML genes distributed unevenly on 7 chromosomes, with 90% of the genes located on chromosomes 6 and 5. Furthermore, the expression of MgCaMs and MgCMLs was tissue-specific in M. gigas, and most of the genes expressed highly in gill, labial palp, adductor muscle and female gonad. Through the analysis of transcriptome data, it was found that the MgCaM and MgCML genes showed specific expression patterns in response to abiotic stress. When encountering heat-shock stress, different genes responded at different time points. In response to acidification stimulation, genes in the outer edge of mantle could respond to the stimulus obviously. The expression patterns of five representative genes were validated by RT-qPCR under acidification. This study systematically analyzed the characteristics of oyster CaM and CML gene families, revealing their crucial roles in the environmental adaptation mechanisms of M. gigas.
Continue reading ‘Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of calmodulin and calmodulin-like (CaM and CML) gene family in Magallana gigas’Genome-wide characterization of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas SLC4 gene family and expression profiles in response to acidification
Published 20 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, molecular biology, mollusks, reproduction
Highlights
- Eight CgSLC4 genes family members were identified.
- CgSLC4s exhibited tissue-specific and developmentally variable expression patterns.
- CgSLC4 gene family responds to acidification stress in different mantle folds.
- CgSLC4A10-1 shows marked acidification responsiveness, especially in mantle epithelium cell.
Abstract
The solute carrier 4 (SLC4) family represents a category of integral membrane transporters responsible for bicarbonate mediation, which is vital for numerous fundamental biological functions. In this study, eight SLC4 genes were identified and annotated in Crassostrea gigas genome, comprising one member of Cl−/HCO3− exchanger, five genes coding Na+-dependent HCO3− transporters, and two Na+-coupled borate transporter copies, which were located on three chromosomes. In general, the expression of CgSLC4s showed tissue specificity, and differential expression patterns of CgSLC4s was observed at different developmental stages. The CgSLC4 family genes displayed divergent responses to acidification across different mantle folds. Among these family members, CgSLC4A10-1 exhibited the most dramatic and statistically significant expression changes in response to acidification across mantle folds, with fold changes ranging from 0.008-fold down-regulation to 85.95-fold up-regulation. According to the results of RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence, after 14 days of acidification treatment, CgSLC4A10-1 mRNA expression level was significantly increased, immunoblotting signal intensity was also enhanced in the epithelial cells. These results provide a general characterization of the SLC4 gene family in C. gigas, which may provide a systematic overview of the SLC4 gene family in C. gigas, and lay a foundation for future studies to explore its potential involvement in ion homeostasis and acidification adaptation in bivalve mollusks.
Continue reading ‘Genome-wide characterization of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas SLC4 gene family and expression profiles in response to acidification’Impacts of coinciding ocean acidification and warming on the fatty acid profile of the pteropod Limacina helicina within the Northeast Pacific coastal region
Published 19 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, mollusks, mortality, North Pacific, physiology
Under global climate change, co-occurrence of ocean acidification (OA) and warming poses a substantial threat to marine ecosystems. The present study focused on the Strait of Georgia within the Northeast Pacific region, where conditions of aragonite undersaturation exist year-round across the majority of the water column, with further intensification expected under OA. These conditions coincide with persistent rises in mean seasonal seawater temperatures and increased prevalence of acute stressor events, such as marine heatwaves and low-pH upwelling events. Limacina helicina, a pteropod species well-represented within the region’s zooplankton communities, is susceptible to OA and warming, with documented impacts including altered shell development, growth, and survival. To date, however, there has been minimal investigation into the effects of OA and warming on the species’ fatty acid profile under regionally-relevant conditions, thereby contributing to a lack of understanding of how impacts at lower trophic levels may relay across ecosystems. To address this knowledge gap, we examined the survival and fatty acid profile of L. helicina under future conditions via a laboratory experiment during which pteropods were exposed to singular and coinciding warming (mean summer seawater temperature + 4 °C) and OA (Ωarag < 1) conditions, with fatty acid analyses carried out via gas chromatography at 48-h and 5-d timepoints. OA conditions significantly altered fatty acid proportions at 48 h, and there was an additional interactive effect of OA and warming. Temperature significantly affected survival at 5 d, although experimental starvation conditions likely confounded this result. Additionally, fatty acid analyses of L. helicina picked from historical plankton samples collected in the region over 2014–2023 were carried out to examine time-series changes in fatty acid profiles in relation to temperature records. Results indicated no significant differences in fatty acid fractions among years, though there was suggestion of a changing proportion of myristic acid over a number of year groups. Overall, findings suggest that short-term OA conditions may result in altered fatty acid composition in pteropods, potentially leading to shifts in nutritional quality and associated impacts on trophic energy transfer.
Continue reading ‘Impacts of coinciding ocean acidification and warming on the fatty acid profile of the pteropod Limacina helicina within the Northeast Pacific coastal region’Changes in salinity impact nitrogen removal and carbon preservation in coastal wetlands sediment
Published 18 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, chemistry, laboratory, multiple factors, North Pacific, salinity, sediment
Highlights
- Coastal freshening suppressed N removal via denitrification while accelerating net organic carbon mineralization.
- Salinity shaped N removal vs. N retention and carbonate vs. alkalinity balance through sulfate availability.
- Salinity changes had concurrent implications for coastal eutrophication and ocean acidification.
Abstract
Coastal wetlands naturally remediate nitrogen (N) pollution through microbial pathways that either remove reactive N via denitrification and anammox, or retain it via dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). The balance among three processes is closely linked to the carbon (C) cycle, as both heterotrophic denitrification and DNRA consume organic C and release alkalinity. While salinity fluctuations can disrupt these processes through direct ionic stress or sulfur (S) cycling, their net impact on N removal and C preservation services remains unclear. Here, we deployed microcosm experiments using mangrove sediments under a large salinity gradient (0-30 psu). We quantified N transformation rates using 15N isotope tracing technique, combined with geochemical analysis, and functional genes quantification. Freshening from ambient 30 psu to 10 psμ decreased N removal efficiency by ∼20%. This decline was caused by reduced denitrification, whereas anammox and DNRA were unaffected. Meanwhile, lower salinity appears to have stimulated C decomposition via reduced ionic stress. The reduced sulfate input diminished total alkalinity (TA) generation relative to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The stoichiometric shift of TA:DIC ratio could further contribute to acidification in adjacent coastal waters. Additionally, the S-mediated regulation of N partitioning appears to be nitrate-dependent: under nitrate limitation, higher sulfate favored N retention; conversely, with enriched nitrate, it potentially favored N removal. Integrating the coupling effect of salinity on interaction between N, C and S cycles, our study demonstrates that coastal water freshening may weaken wetlands’ ability to remove N and preserve C.
Continue reading ‘Changes in salinity impact nitrogen removal and carbon preservation in coastal wetlands sediment’Impacts of ocean acidification and warming (OAW) on abalone growth and reproduction: a dynamic energy budget model approach across SSP scenarios
Published 18 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, field, individualmodeling, laboratory, modeling, mollusks, morphology, performance, physiology, reproduction
Ocean acidification and warming (OAW) are expected to alter physiology, growth and reproduction of marine ectotherms, yet their combined effects on life-history traits remain unresolved, particularly under poorly defined future food conditions. Using a Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model, we investigated how interacting changes in temperature, seawater pH, and food quality may shape somatic growth and reproductive phenology of the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata across four contrasting coastal environments and three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) climate scenarios. OAW effects were modeled as increased metabolic maintenance costs, while reduced food quality, driven by OAW, lowered assimilation efficiency, aligning with experimentally-supported limited compensatory feeding.,Our results reveal that warming and food quality strongly drive somatic growth, whit ocean acidification playing a minor role within the modeled range. Food quality remained the primary determinant of maximum body size, while warming amplified growth across all locations, with the largest proportional increases in cooler northern bays. Individuals in the warmest areas remained the largest across scenarios within the model framework. Reproductive timing also shifted consistently, with first spawning occurring markedly earlier under end-of-century conditions, advancing consistently with scenario intensity. Food quality modulated reproductive investment but had weaker effects on the timing of first spawning., These findings highlight that food quality critically mediates organismal responses to OAW and can offset temperature-driven gains in growth and reproduction. By combining expected nutritional constraints with SSP scenarios, our DEB-based approach provide mechanistic insights into the future responses of benthic marine invertebrates to climate change, highlighting the value of these scenario-based projections for better management strategies.
Continue reading ‘Impacts of ocean acidification and warming (OAW) on abalone growth and reproduction: a dynamic energy budget model approach across SSP scenarios’Extending planktic foraminiferal Mg/Ca palaeothermometry into polar temperature ranges: crust- and lamellae specific calibrations and non-thermal controls
Published 15 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, multiple factors, paleo, protists, temperature
The rapidity of climate change in the polar regions underscores the need for improved understanding of its impacts on ocean circulation at both regional and global scales. Reconstructions of past polar ocean-cryosphere interactions can provide this context, but large uncertainties in existing proxies limit the utility of such studies. For instance, there are currently no low-temperature (<9 °C) culture-based Mg/Ca-calibrations for planktic foraminifera, a key tool for reconstructing past changes in ocean temperatures. There is also limited understanding of non-thermal influences on Mg/Ca in Neogloboquadrina pachyderma, the only modern polar planktic foraminifera. Moreover, this species exhibits considerable levels of heterogeneity in composition precipitating a thick lower-Mg/Ca outer crust over higher Mg/Ca inner lamellae calcite; specimens with predominantly, albeit variable crust–lamellae proportions, are thus thought to introduce substantial uncertainty into high-latitude palaeotemperature reconstructions. Here, we used N. pachyderma cultured across a range of temperatures, salinities, and carbonate chemistry conditions including experiments in which pH and [CO32-] either covaried or were decoupled. By using a laser ablation approach to analyse crust and lamellae separately, we present new Mg/Ca-temperature calibrations for each component that extend culture-based calibrations in N. pachyderma down to the lower temperature-range (2–9 °C). The crust-specific calibration is of particular importance in high-latitude downcore records where N. pachyderma are commonly observed to preserve predominantly or only crust. Our results show significant carbonate chemistry influence on Mg/Ca with opposite influences from pH and carbonate ion concentration, when these variables changed in isolation. Additionally, we show that environmental conditions regulate crust-lamellar proportions, where increased salinity and temperature, and lower pH lead to less crust formation with implications for future ocean acidification and Arctic Atlantification, and for downcore reconstructions.
Continue reading ‘Extending planktic foraminiferal Mg/Ca palaeothermometry into polar temperature ranges: crust- and lamellae specific calibrations and non-thermal controls’High-resolution temporal biogeochemical variations in a seagrass-coral cohabitate ecosystem: day-night, rain, and coral spawning
Published 14 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biogeochemistry, biological response, chemistry, community composition, corals, field, laboratory, North Pacific, otherprocess, phanerogams, physiology, reproduction
Highlights
- Seagrass-coral habitats act as CO2 sources driven by intense nighttime respiration
- High-resolution data enable predictive modeling of DIC, DOC, and POC dynamics
- Metabolic cues govern DIC, while temperature and alkalinity regulate POC and DOC
- Episodic coral spawning and rainfall trigger rapid ocean acidification
- Short-term disturbances dramatically shift organic and inorganic nutrient loads
Abstract
Seagrass meadows and coral reefs are global hotspots for productivity, yet they are often studied in isolation despite their intense biogeochemical connectivity. Significant gaps remain in understanding how coupled inorganic and organic processes within the water column drive blue carbon services in such mixed habitats, particularly during rapid environmental disturbances. Here, we investigated a unique, intertwined ecosystem in the Dongsha Atoll, where massive Porites corals are distributed on seagrass meadows, creating a natural laboratory for studying water column carbon biogeochemistry. During a 10-day sampling period, we collected continuous hydrological and discrete biogeochemical data at two- to four-hour intervals. Our results reveal that the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) covaried with dissolved oxygen and pH in strong diurnal patterns, which were governed by photosynthesis and respiration. As an outcome, variable but mostly high pCO2 values (141–2070 μatm) indicate the seagrass meadow was a source of CO2 to the atmosphere due to strong night-time respiration. Particulate organic carbon (POC) increased with temperature but showed no diurnal pattern. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) showed a weak diurnal pattern and was linked to variations in POC and total alkalinity, highlighting the tight coupling between the organic production of the meadow and the inorganic chemistry of the calcification framework. Additionally, coral spawning led to a surge in organic content and changed inorganic nutrient levels. Rainfall events significantly acidified the ocean and enhanced submarine groundwater discharge to the seagrass-coral habitat. The distinctive contributions of this study are the extremely high temporal resolution of discrete samples, allowing the simultaneous tracking of multiple organic and inorganic pools during natural disturbances. The high-resolution data provide fundamental information for parametrizing models that explain DIC, POC, and DOC, which yield insights into organic carbon cycling in seagrass meadow-coral habitats.
Continue reading ‘High-resolution temporal biogeochemical variations in a seagrass-coral cohabitate ecosystem: day-night, rain, and coral spawning’Mechanistic drivers of climate-induced reproductive collapse in African catfish: multi-stressor interactions under IPCC scenarios
Published 14 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: adaptation, biological response, fish, laboratory, mortality, North Atlantic, physiology, reproduction
Climate change is increasingly disrupting freshwater ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa, posing severe threats to the reproductive success and population viability of key fish species. This study investigated the mechanistic effects of elevated temperature across a gradient and the combined impact of elevated temperature, acidification and hypoxia under a simulated future climate scenario (IPCC SSP5-8.5) on the reproductive physiology and early life stages of Clarias gariepinus in the Cross River Estuary. Single-stressor trials examined the effect of temperature (28–38°C) on oestrogen synthesis, cortisol levels and gonadosomatic index (GSI). A combined-stressor scenario (35°C, pH 6.2, dissolved oxygen 2 mg/L) was used to simulate predicted climate conditions. Each treatment was replicated across triplicate tanks, with 10 broodstock per tank, over an 8-week period. Environmental parameters were tightly controlled using aquarium heaters, aerators and pH regulators. Combined stressors markedly disrupted reproductive function. Oestrogen synthesis ceased at 34°C, coinciding with a sharp decline in GSI (r2 = 0.81, p < 0.001). Cortisol concentrations increased fourfold under concurrent heat and hypoxia. Cortisol concentrations increased fourfold under heat and hypoxia co-stress. Larval performance also declined sharply, with prey capture efficiency reduced by 33% at pH 6.0 and cumulative mortality reaching 82% by day 5 under combined-stressor conditions. Habitat suitability models projected a 71% reduction in spawning habitat availability in the estuary by 2070 under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Genetic screening revealed a significant correlation (r2 = 0.63, p = 0.004) between heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) allele frequency and larval survival, indicating potential for adaptive resilience. These findings suggest a compounded vulnerability of C. gariepinus to climate-related stressors and highlight the potential need for targeted conservation efforts. Recommended interventions include habitat restoration, enhancement of dissolved oxygen regimes and selective breeding programmes to support thermal and hypoxic tolerance in vulnerable populations.
Continue reading ‘Mechanistic drivers of climate-induced reproductive collapse in African catfish: multi-stressor interactions under IPCC scenarios’Anti-predatory responses of Mytilus coruscus to the combined effects of ocean acidification and microplastics
Published 13 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, chemistry, crustaceans, laboratory, mollusks, multiple factors, North Pacific, performance, physiology, plastics
Highlights
1.Predator cues can significantly induce byssal secretion in Mytilus coruscus.
2.Ocean acidification inhibits the anti-predatory responses of Mytilus coruscus.
3.Microplastics exerts sublethal effects on the byssus of Mytilus coruscus.
4.The presence of predators amplifies the mild disturbances caused by ocean acidification and microplastics.
5.The combined stress shows a synergistic inhibitory trend on the anti-predatory capability of Mytilus coruscus.
Abstract
Ocean acidification (OA) and microplastics (MPs) pollution are major abiotic stressors in coastal ecosystems. Byssus is the core structural trait for Mytilus coruscus to defend against predators, and it is vulnerable to environmental stress, which in turn impairs its anti-predator function. However, the anti-predator response characteristics of M. coruscus byssus and the interaction mechanisms among OA, MPs and predation pressure from Charybdis japonica remain unclear under their combined stress. The study conducted acute exposure experiments, measuring five key byssus indicators: secretion frequency, quantity, diameter, volume and tensile strength, to explore the variation characteristics of the byssus-based anti-predator function of M. coruscus under multi-stressor conditions. Results showed that predators served as a key biological signal to trigger the anti-predator responses and significantly promoted byssus secretion; OA had the most prominent inhibitory effect on byssus function; MPs exposure only induced sublethal disturbances with no significant effects on core anti-predator indicators. Furthermore, the combined stress of ocean acidification and microplastics exhibited a synergistic trend, impairing the byssus-centered anti-predatory defense capacity of M. coruscus. This study provides experimental evidence for analyzing the variation patterns of mussel byssus under multiple stressors and suggests that future marine ecological risk assessments should focus on the interactions between biotic and abiotic stressors to more accurately predict the dynamic changes of coastal ecosystems.
Continue reading ‘Anti-predatory responses of Mytilus coruscus to the combined effects of ocean acidification and microplastics’Divergent responses of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii to ocean acidification during light and dark periods
Published 11 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, light, multiple factors, physiology, phytoplankton, temperature
Given the limited understanding of discrepancies in responses of diatoms to ocean acidification (OA), we comparatively investigated the physiological and transcriptional performances of a diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii acclimated to OA (pHt drop of 0.35–0.41) between day and night periods. We found that OA enhanced its specific growth rate (up to 10%) in the light period by upregulating light reaction, Calvin cycle and H+ pumps to cope with the decreased pH. On the other hand, OA reduced its apparent specific growth rate (14%) in the dark period due to additive pH drop caused by OA-enhanced respiratory CO2 release. In the dark period, the cells could not effectively cope with the decreased pH since H+ pumps were downregulated. Consequently, OA did not affect cell growth during a 24 h diel cycle. These findings suggest that daytime positive and night negative effects of OA on diatoms could be responsible for differential results observed under different conditions, with implications for possible seasonal and latitudinal effects of OA.
Scientific Significance Statement
Progressive ocean acidification (OA) due to continuous dissolution of anthropogenic CO2 into seawater is known to affect diatoms that contribute to approximately 20% of the Earth’s primary production. However, impacts of OA on diatoms through a daily cycle remain poorly understood. Our data provide compelling evidence from both physiological and molecular aspects that OA enhances growth of a diatom during the light period by upregulating its photosynthetic CO2 fixation against the stress of decreased pH, but decreases its apparent specific growth rate during the night period due to the aggravated stress of pH drop from respiratory CO2 release overlaid with OA. These findings align well with transcriptional imprints, suggesting the essential role of light in modulating the effects of OA on diatoms, with implications for possible seasonal and latitudinal effects of OA given the changing lengths of daytime.
Continue reading ‘Divergent responses of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii to ocean acidification during light and dark periods’Coupled ocean warming and acidification reduce shell integrity and bioenergetics in juvenile Mytilus coruscus
Published 7 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, molecular biology, mollusks, morphology, multiple factors, physiology, temperature
Under realistic climate change scenarios, marine bivalves face compounding stressors from concurrent ocean warming and acidification. Research has established the separate effects of these factors; however, the synergy driving physiological adaptation in mollusks has yet to be fully elucidated. We assessed the physiological responses of an ecologically significant mussel, Mytilus coruscus, to 2 mo exposure under varying environmental conditions (25°C/28°C and pH 7.7/8.1). Key metrics included shell properties, flesh weight, antioxidant defenses, bioenergetics, and gene expression. Compared to control groups, experimental groups showed reductions in shell hardness and compressive strength, >10% decrease in flesh weight, and 40-52% suppression of carbonic anhydrase and Ca2+-ATPase activities. Molecular analyses of the mantle tissue demonstrated compromised mitochondrial energy transduction (>40% reduction in ATP6 expression) alongside upregulated stress response markers (>2.1-fold COX3 increase). Notably, cellular energy allocation declined, accompanied by depletion of energy reserves (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates), indicating metabolic prioritization toward stress compensation. These findings elucidate how coupled stressors disrupt homeostasis through multilevel interactions, forcing energy trade-offs between defense mechanisms and growth processes, and confirm the tissue-specific vulnerability of the mantle and individual resilience of bivalves under multifactorial climate change.
Continue reading ‘Coupled ocean warming and acidification reduce shell integrity and bioenergetics in juvenile Mytilus coruscus’Effects of ocean acidification on radular tooth material properties in Littorina littorea (Gastropoda, Mollusca)
Published 6 May 2026 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, mollusks, mortality, philosophy
Ocean acidification is known to affect calcified structures in marine organisms, yet its impact on non-calcified but functionally essential feeding tools remains poorly understood. The radula is a defining molluscan apomorphy, whose mechanical performance is critical for feeding and survival. Here we investigated the effects of reduced seawater pH on the radular teeth of the intertidal gastropod Littorina littorea. Individuals were maintained for seven weeks under acidified conditions (pH 7.5) or near-present-day conditions (pH 8.1) and compared with a field-collected control group. Radulae were analysed using scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and nanoindentation.
Radulae from acid-treated individuals exhibited markedly increased tooth wear in the working zone despite largely preserved gross morphology. Wear was most pronounced at the cusps of central and lateral teeth and showed rounded profiles indicative of progressive abrasive wear. Acidic conditions caused pronounced changes in the outer tooth coating, including reduced silicon enrichment and substantial decreases in stiffness and hardness, while the inner tooth structure was only weakly affected. Confocal microscopy revealed treatment-specific autofluorescence patterns, suggesting pH-dependent alterations of the organic matrix. Differences between laboratory-maintained and field-collected individuals further indicate that feeding conditions influence radular tooth properties.
These results demonstrate that ocean acidification can impair radular function through material-level degradation of composite feeding structures, potentially reducing grazing efficiency and imposing sublethal fitness costs.
Continue reading ‘Effects of ocean acidification on radular tooth material properties in Littorina littorea (Gastropoda, Mollusca)’
