We tested the effect of light and pCO2 on the calcification and survival of Pocillopora damicornis recruits settled from larvae released in southern Taiwan. In March 2011, recruits were incubated at 31, 41, 70, 122, and 226 μmol photons m-2s-1 under ambient (493 μatm) and high pCO2 (878 μatm). After 5 days calcification was measured gravimetrically and survivorship estimated as the number of living recruits. Calcification was affected by the interaction of pCO2 with light, and at 493 μatm pCO2 the response to light intensity resembled a positive parabola. At 878 μatm pCO2, the effect of light on calcification differed from that observed at 493 μatm pCO2, with the result that there were large differences in calcification between 493 μatm and 878 μatm pCO2 at intermediate light intensities (ca. 70 μmol photons m-2s-1), but similar rates of calcification at the highest and lowest light intensities. Survivorship was affected by light and pCO2, and was highest at 122 μmol photons m-2s-1 in both pCO2 treatments, but was unrelated to calcification. In June 2012 the experiment was repeated, and again the results suggested that exposure to high pCO2 decreased calcification of P. damicornis recruits at intermediate light intensities, but not at lower or higher intensities. Together, our findings demonstrate that the effect of pCO2 on coral recruits can be light-dependent, with inhibitory effects of high pCO2 on calcification at intermediate light intensities that disappear at both higher and lower light intensities.
Posts Tagged 'survival'
The role of light in mediating the effects of ocean acidification on coral calcification
Published 12 February 2013 Science ClosedTags: biological response, calcification, corals, light, multiple factors, North Pacific, survival
Effects of sea-water acidification on fertilization and larval development of the oyster Crassostrea gigas
Published 31 January 2013 Science ClosedTags: biological response, laboratory, mollusks, morphology, North Atlantic, reproduction, survival
Oceans face a serious change to their natural biogeochemical cycle due to the rapid absorption of CO2 generated by human activities. Ocean acidification is the common term used to describe the decrease of seawater pH caused by the absorption of atmospheric CO2. To evaluate the effects of ocean acidification, we focused on the larval stage of bivalves, which produce a fragile calcareous skeletal structure, very sensitive to changes in seawater chemistry. In this context, we investigated sperm motility, fertilization rate and larval viability (survival, growth and abnormalities) of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, a commercially important bivalve, in a controlled CO2 perturbation experiment. The carbonate chemistry of seawater was manipulated by diffusing pure CO2, to attain two reduced pH levels (ΔpH = − 0.4 and ΔpH = − 0.7) which were compared to unmanipulated seawater. The results show high sensitivity of C. gigas veliger larvae to low values of pH, as reflected by a decrease in survival and growth rates, as well as an increased frequency of prodissoconch abnormalities and protruding mantle. Moreover, results also show that sperm motility, fertilization rate, and hatching success, were negatively influenced by acidification. The exposure to ΔpH = − 0.7 had a higher impact on the fertilization and larval viability than ΔpH = − 0.4. The results suggest that the reproductive success and the biological mechanisms for calcification may be prematurely interrupted and disturbed when C. gigas veliger larvae are exposed to an acidified environment which may reduce their viability and compromise settlement and future abundances of this species.
Effects of climate change on global seaweed communities
Published 21 January 2013 Science ClosedTags: adaptation, algae, biological response, growth, morphology, multiple factors, physiology, reproduction, review, survival
Seaweeds are ecologically important primary producers, competitors, and ecosystem engineers that play a central role in coastal habitats ranging from kelp forests to coral reefs. Although seaweeds are known to be vulnerable to physical and chemical changes in the marine environment, the impacts of ongoing and future anthropogenic climate change in seaweed-dominated ecosystems remain poorly understood. In this review, we describe the ways in which changes in the environment directly affect seaweeds in terms of their physiology, growth, reproduction, and survival. We consider the extent to which seaweed species may be able to respond to these changes via adaptation or migration. We also examine the extensive reshuffling of communities that is occurring as the ecological balance between competing species changes, and as top-down control by herbivores becomes stronger or weaker. Finally, we delve into some of the ecosystem-level responses to these changes, including changes in primary productivity, diversity, and resilience. Although there are several key areas in which ecological insight is lacking, we suggest that reasonable climate-related hypotheses can be developed and tested based on current information. By strategically prioritizing research in the areas of complex environmental variation, multiple stressor effects, evolutionary adaptation, and population, community, and ecosystem-level responses, we can rapidly build upon our current understanding of seaweed biology and climate change ecology to more effectively conserve and manage coastal ecosystems.
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Non-lethal effects of ocean acidification on the symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifer Amphistegina gibbosa
Published 17 January 2013 Science ClosedTags: biological response, dissolution, laboratory, morphology, performance, protists, survival
The responses of marine taxa to ocean acidification are varied, with, for example, some exhibiting decreased and some increased calcification rates. Experiments were conducted to assess the effect of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations on the survival, fitness, shell microfabric and growth of Amphistegina gibbosa, a symbiont-bearing, coral-reef dwelling, benthic foraminiferal species that precipitates low-Mg calcite tests, using CO2 partial pressure ( pCO2) levels similar to those likely to occur in shallow marine pore waters in the decades ahead. Specimens were cultured at constant temperature and controlled pCO2 (ambient, 1000 parts per million by volume [ppmv], and 2000 ppmv) for 6 wk, and total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon were measured every 2 wk to characterize the carbonate chemistry of the incubations. Foraminiferal survival and cellular energy levels were assessed using adenosine triphosphate analyses, and test microstructure and growth were evaluated using high resolution scanning electron microscopy and image analysis. Fitness and survival were not directly affected by elevated pCO2 and the concomitant decrease in pH and calcite saturation states (Ωc). Test growth was not affected by elevated pCO2. However, areas of dissolution were observed after 6 wk, even though Ωc was >1 in all treatments; the fraction of test area dissolved increased with decreasing Ωc. Test dissolution occurred only in small, well defined patches that appeared to be distributed randomly over the whole test surface. Similar dissolution was observed in offspring produced in the 2000 ppmv pCO2 treatments. The long-term ecological consequences of the effects observed are not yet known.
Elevated temperature elicits greater effects than decreased pH on the development, feeding and metabolism of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) larvae
Published 9 January 2013 Science ClosedTags: biological response, crustaceans, laboratory, morphology, multiple factors, North Atlantic, performance, physiology, reproduction, respiration, survival, temperature
Climate models predict that the average temperature in the North Sea could increase 3–5 °C and surface-waters pH could decrease 0.3–0.5 pH units by the end of this century. Consequently, we investigated the combined effect of decreased pH (control pH 8.1; decreased pH 7.6) and temperature (control 6.7 °C; elevated 9.5 °C) on the hatching timing and success, and the zoeal development, survival, feeding, respiration and growth (up to stage IV zoea) of the northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis. At elevated temperature, embryos hatched 3 days earlier, but experienced 2–4 % reduced survival. Larvae developed 9 days faster until stage IV zoea under elevated temperature and exhibited an increase in metabolic rates (ca 20 %) and an increase in feeding rates (ca 15–20 %). Decreased pH increased the development time, but only at the low temperature. We conclude that warming will likely exert a greater effect on shrimp larval development than ocean acidification manifesting itself as accelerated developmental rates with greater maintenance costs and decreased recruitment in terms of number and size.
Ocean acidification decreases growth and development in American lobster (Homarus americanus) larvae
Published 14 December 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, crustaceans, laboratory, morphology, survival
Ocean acidification resulting from the global increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration is emerging as a threat to marine species, including crustaceans. Fisheries involving the American lobster (Homarus americanus) are economically important in eastern Canada and United States. Based on ocean pH levels predicted for 2100, this study examined the effects of reduced seawater pH on the growth (carapace length) and development (time to molt) of American lobster larvae throughout stages I–III until reaching stage IV (postlarvae). Each stage is reached after a
corresponding molt. Larvae were reared from stage I in either acidified (pH = 7.7) or control (pH = 8.1) seawater. Organisms in acidified seawater exhibited a significantly shorter carapace length than those in control seawater after every molt. Larvae in acidified seawater also took significantly more time to reach each molt than control larvae. In nature, slowed progress through larval molts could result in greater time in the water column, where larvae are vulnerable to pelagic predators, potentially leading to reduced benthic recruitment. Evidence was also found of reduced survival when reaching the last stage under acidified conditions. Thus, from the perspective of larval ecology, it is possible that future ocean acidification may harm this important marine resource.
Short and long term consequences of larval stage exposure to constantly and ephemerally elevated carbon dioxide for marine bivalve populations
Published 16 November 2012 Science ClosedTags: calcification, laboratory, molecular biology, mollusks, survival
While larval bivalves are highly sensitive to ocean acidification, the basis for this sensitivity and the longer term implications of this sensitivity are unclear. Experiments were performed to assess the short term (days) and long term (months) consequences of larval stage exposure to varying CO2 concentrations for calcifying bivalves. Higher CO2 concentrations depressed both calcification rates assessed using 45Ca uptake and RNA:DNA ratios in Mercenaria mercenaria and Argopecten irradians larvae with RNA:DNA ratios being highly correlated with larval growth rates r2 > 0.9). These findings suggested that high CO2 has a cascading negative physiological impact on bivalve larvae stemming in part from lower calcification rates. Exposure to elevated CO2 during the first four days of larval development significantly depressed A. irradians larval survival rates, while a 10 day exposure later in larval development did not, demonstrating the extreme CO2-sensitivity of bivalve larvae during first days of development. Short- (weeks) and long-term (10 month) experiments revealed that individuals surviving exposure to high CO2 during larval development grew faster when exposed to normal CO2 as juveniles compared to individuals reared under ambient CO2 as larvae. These increased growth rates could not, however, overcome size differences established during larval development, as size deficits of individuals exposed to even moderate levels of CO2 as larvae were evident even after 10 months of growth under normal CO2 concentrations. This `legacy effect’ emphasizes the central role larval stage CO2 exposure can play in shaping the success of modern day bivalve populations.
Metal contamination increases the sensitivity of larvae but not gametes to ocean acidification in the polychaete Pomatoceros lamarckii (Quatrefages)
Published 29 October 2012 Science ClosedTags: annelids, biological response, laboratory, morphology, multiple factors, North Atlantic, reproduction, survival, toxicants
Ocean acidification is not happening in isolation but against a background of chronic low-level pollution for most coastal marine environments. The reproductive and larval stages of marine invertebrates can be highly sensitive to the impacts of both environmental pollutants and ocean acidification, but very little is currently known regarding the potential impacts of combined contaminant and high CO2 exposures on the health of marine organisms. Ocean acidification research to date has focused heavily on the responses of calcifying marine invertebrate larvae and algae, and as such the polychaetes as a group, despite their ecological importance, remain understudied. Here, we investigate the effects of elevated seawater CO2 (pH range 8.1–7.4, plus an extreme pH of 7.2 in the sperm motility experiments), in combination with the environmental pollutant copper (0.002 μM), on the early life history stages of the intertidal polychaete Pomatoceros lamarckii from two populations. P. lamarckii sperm appear to be robust to elevated seawater CO2. Whilst all three of the sperm motility end points measured showed a response to elevated CO2, these responses were small and not linear. The percentage of motile sperm and sperm curvilinear velocity were significantly reduced in the lower pH treatments of 7.4 and 7.2, whereas sperm straight-line velocity (VSL) was mostly unaffected except for an increased VSL at pH 8.0. Fertilisation success was investigated using two populations from the South West (UK), one from Torquay and one from Plymouth Sound. Fertilisation success was slightly but significantly reduced at the 7.6 and 7.4 pH treatments for both populations (a 9.0 % reduction in fertilisation success from pH 8.1 to 7.4 for Torquay), but with a greater effect observed in the population from Plymouth Sound (a 13.33 % reduction in fertilisation success). No additional impact of 0.002 μM copper exposure on fertilisation success was found. Larval survival was found to be much more sensitive to elevated CO2 than sperm function or fertilisation, and a significant interaction with copper exposure was observed. These results demonstrate the potential for polychaete larvae to be affected by predicted ocean acidification conditions and that chronic coastal pollutants, such as copper, have the potential to alter larval susceptibility to ocean acidification conditions.
Ocean acidification increases the toxicity of contaminated sediments
Published 16 October 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, chemistry, crustaceans, survival
Ocean acidification (OA) may alter the behaviour of sediment-bound metals, modifying their bioavailability and thus toxicity. We provide the first experimental test of this hypothesis with the amphipod Corophium volutator. Amphipods were exposed to two test sediments, one with relatively high metals concentrations (Σmetals 239 mg kg−1) and a reference sediment with lower contamination (Σmetals 82 mg kg−1) under conditions that mimic current and projected conditions of OA (390 to 1140 μatm pCO2). Survival and DNA damage was measured in the amphipods, while the flux of labile metals was measured in the sediment and water column using Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films. The contaminated sediments became more acutely toxic to C. volutator under elevated pCO2 (1140 μatm). There was also a 2.7-fold increase in DNA damage in amphipods exposed to the contaminated sediment at 750 μatm pCO2, as well as increased DNA-damage in organisms exposed to the reference sediment, but only at 1140 μatm pCO2. The projected pCO2 concentrations increased the flux of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) to labile states in the water column and pore water. However, the increase in metal flux at elevated pCO2 was equal between the reference and contaminated sediments or, occasionally, greater from reference sediments. Hence, the toxicological interaction between OA and contaminants could not be explained by effects of pH on metal speciation. We propose that the additive physiological effects of OA and contaminants will be more important than changes in metal speciation in determining the responses of benthos to contaminated sediments under OA. Our data demonstrate clear potential for near-future OA to increase the susceptibility of benthic ecosystems to contaminants. Environmental policy should consider contaminants within the context of changing environmental conditions. Specifically, sediment metals guidelines may need to be re-evaluated to afford appropriate environmental protection under future conditions of OA.
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Effects of pH variability on the intertidal isopod, Paradella dianae
Published 9 October 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, crustaceans, performance, physiology, survival
Ecological and evolutionary effects of anthropogenic climate change are influenced by the response of individual organisms and populations to environmental variability. Environmental conditions are predicted to become more variable with global climate change and oceans will become more acidic as increasing amounts of atmospheric CO2 are dissolved in seawater. Species such as the isopod Paradella dianae living in the intertidal are naturally subjected to large environmental variation and may therefore have high acclimation potential to increased acidity and more pronounced pH fluctuations. Here, we use P. dianae to experimentally test whether organisms that are naturally exposed to variable environmental conditions can withstand elevated pH fluctuations. We observed physiological and behavioral differences between animals under stable, low pH conditions and fluctuating, low pH levels. Fluctuating pH conditions influenced survival, oxygen consumption, harassment response, and swimming speed of isopods differently relative to stable pH conditions, suggesting that variable environments can produce different effects than constant environments.
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Effects of CO2 and the harmful alga Aureococcus anophagefferens on growth and survival of oyster and scallop larvae
Published 2 October 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, growth, mollusks, physiology, survival
Globally, the frequency of harmful algal blooms is increasing and CO2 concentrations are rising. These factors represent serious challenges to a multitude of estuarine organisms as well as to efforts to restore depleted stocks of filter-feeding bivalves. In this study, we compared the responses of larval bivalves Crassostrea virginica and Argopecten irradians to the brown tide alga Aureococcus anophagefferens (250 × 106 cells l−1 and 1 × 109 cells l−1, respectively) and a gradient of CO2 concentrations (~240, ~390, and ~850 ppm). Results indicated that A. anophagefferens and higher levels of CO2 significantly depressed rates of survival, development, growth, and lipid synthesis of A. irradians larvae with the combination of both factors having the largest effects. C. virginica larvae were also negatively impacted by the harmful alga and elevated CO2, but displayed a higher overall survival rate when exposed to these combined stressors. For both species, high densities of A. anophagefferens (109 cells l−1) elicited a stronger negative effect on larval survival than high levels of CO2 concentrations (~850 ppm). Collectively, these results demonstrate that the concurrent occurrence of harmful algal blooms and high CO2 concentrations will have negative consequences for bivalve populations and further demonstrate that some species of larval bivalves are more resistant to these stressors than others.
Fertilisation, embryogenesis and larval development in the tropical intertidal sand dollar Arachnoides placenta in response to reduced seawater pH
Published 21 September 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, echinoderms, laboratory, morphology, reproduction, survival
We examined the response of the tropical sand dollar Arachnoides placenta to reduced seawater pH in experiments spanning ca. 50 % of the planktonic larval duration. A. placenta inhabits intertidal sandy beaches where we observed a minimum in situ pH range 0.06 pH units (pH 8.10–8.16). The responses of gametes and larvae to seawater pH were tested in vitro in ambient (pH 8.14, pCO2 = 525.7 μatm, total alkalinity = 2,651 μmol kg soln−1) and three reduced pH seawater treatments (7.8–7.0). Percentage fertilisation decreased significantly with decreasing pH across a range of sperm/egg ratios (4:1 up to 4,000:1). A. placenta reached the advanced pluteus stage in 4 days, and during this time, we saw no difference in survival rate of larvae between the ambient (67 %) and pH 7.79 (72 %) treatments. Four-day survival was, however, reduced to 44 and 11 % in the pH 7.65 and 7.12 treatments, respectively. Larval development and morphometrics varied among pH treatments. Embryos reared in pH 7.12 exhibited arrested development. Larvae reared at pH 7.65 showed delayed development and greater mortality compared with those reared at pH 7.79 and 8.14. When larval morphometrics are compared among larvae of the same size, differences in larval width and total arm length between pH treatments disappear. These results suggest that variation in larval size among the three highest pH treatments at a given time are likely the result of slower development and apparent shrinkage of surviving larvae and not direct changes in larval shape. There were no differences in the percentage inorganic content (a proxy for calcification) in larvae reared in either an ambient or a pH 7.7 treatment. The responses of fertilisation and development to decreased pH/increased pCO2 in A. placenta are within the range of those reported for other intertidal and subtidal echinoid species from colder latitudes.
The early life history of the clam Macoma balthica in a high CO2 world
Published 19 September 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, mollusks, morphology, reproduction, survival
This study investigated the effects of experimentally manipulated seawater carbonate chemistry on several early life history processes of the Baltic tellin (Macoma balthica), a widely distributed bivalve that plays a critical role in the functioning of many coastal habitats. We demonstrate that ocean acidification significantly depresses fertilization, embryogenesis, larval development and survival during the pelagic phase. Fertilization and the formation of a D-shaped shell during embryogenesis were severely diminished: successful fertilization was reduced by 11% at a 0.6 pH unit decrease from present (pH 8.1) conditions, while hatching success was depressed by 34 and 87%, respectively at a 0.3 and 0.6 pH unit decrease. Under acidified conditions, larvae were still able to develop a shell during the post-embryonic phase, but higher larval mortality rates indicate that fewer larvae may metamorphose and settle in an acidified ocean. The cumulative impact of decreasing seawater pH on fertilization, embryogenesis and survival to the benthic stage is estimated to reduce the number of competent settlers by 38% for a 0.3 pH unit decrease, and by 89% for a 0.6 pH unit decrease from present conditions. Additionally, slower growth rates and a delayed metamorphosis at a smaller size were indicative for larvae developed under acidified conditions. This may further decline the recruit population size due to a longer subjection to perturbations, such as predation, during the pelagic phase. In general, early life history processes were most severely compromised at ~pH 7.5, which corresponds to seawater undersaturated with respect to aragonite. Since recent models predict a comparable decrease in pH in coastal waters in the near future, this study indicates that future populations of Macoma balthica are likely to decline as a consequence of ongoing ocean acidification.
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Effects of water temperature and pH on growth and metabolite biosynthesis of coral reef sponges
Published 28 August 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, multiple factors, North Atlantic, performance, porifera, survival, temperature
Warmer, more acidic water resulting from increased emissions of greenhouse gases will impact coral reef organisms, but the effects remain unknown for many dominant groups such as sponges. To test for possible effects, adult sponges of 6 common Caribbean coral reef species—Aiolochroia crassa, Aplysina cauliformis, Aplysina fistularis, Ectyoplasia ferox, Iotrochota birotulata and Smenospongia conulosa—were grown for 24 d in seawater ranging from values experienced at present-day summer-maxima (temperature = 28°C; pH = 8.1) to those predicted for the year 2100 (temperature = 31°C; pH = 7.8). For each species, growth and survival were similar among temperature and pH levels. Sponge attachment rates, which are important for reef consolidation, were similar between pH values for all species, and highest at 31°C for E. ferox, I. birotulata and A. cauliformis. Secondary metabolites, responsible for deterring predation and fouling, were examined for A. crassa, A. cauliformis, E. ferox and I. birotulata, with 1 to 3 major metabolites quantified from each species. Final metabolite concentrations varied significantly among treatments only for zooanemonin from E. ferox and N-tele-methylhistamine from I. birotulata, but these concentrations were similar to those found in wild conspecifics. Considering adult sponges only, these findings suggest that the ecological roles and physiological processes of the 6 coral reef species will be little affected by the mean values of water temperature and pH predicted for the end of the century.
Limacina retroversa’s response to combined effects of ocean acidification and sea water freshening
Published 14 August 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, dissolution, mollusks, morphology, multiple factors, North Atlantic, performance, salinity, survival, temperature, zooplankton
Anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions induce ocean acidification, thereby reducing carbonate ion concentration, which may affect the ability of calcifying organisms to build shells. Pteropods, the main planktonic producers of aragonite in the worlds’ oceans, may be particularly vulnerable to changes in sea water chemistry. The negative effects are expected to be most severe at high-latitudes, where natural carbonate ion concentrations are low. In this study we investigated the combined effects of ocean acidification and freshening on Limacina retroversa, the dominant pteropod in sub polar areas. Living L.retroversa, collected in Northern Norwegian Sea, were exposed to four different pH values ranging from the pre-industrial level to the forecasted end of century ocean acidification scenario. Since over the past half-century the Norwegian Sea has experienced a progressive freshening with time, each pH level was combined with a salinity gradient in two factorial, randomized experiments investigating shell degradation, swimming behavior and survival. In addition, to investigate shell degradation without any physiologic influence, one perturbation experiments using only shells of dead pteropods was performed.
Lower pH reduced shell mass whereas shell dissolution increased with pCO2. Interestingly, shells of dead organisms had a higher degree of dissolution than shells of living individuals. Mortality of Limacina retroversa was strongly affected only when both pH and salinity reduced simultaneously. The combined effects of lower salinity and lower pH also affected negatively the ability of pteropods to swim upwards. Results suggest that the energy cost of maintaining ion balance and avoiding sinking (in low salinity scenario) combined with the extra energy cost necessary to counteract shell dissolution (in high pCO2 scenario), exceed the available energy budget of this organism causing the pteropods to change swimming behavior and begin to collapse. Since L.retroversa play an important role in the transport of carbonates to the deep oceans these findings have significant implications for the mechanisms influencing the inorganic carbon cycle in the sub-polar area.
Parental environment mediates impacts of increased carbon dioxide on a coral reef fish
Published 3 July 2012 Science ClosedTags: biological response, fish, laboratory, morphology, multiple factors, physiology, South Pacific, survival, temperature
Carbon dioxide concentrations in the surface ocean are increasing owing to rising CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere1. Higher CO2 levels are predicted to affect essential physiological processes of many aquatic organisms2, 3, leading to widespread impacts on marine diversity and ecosystem function, especially when combined with the effects of global warming4, 5, 6. Yet the ability for marine species to adjust to increasing CO2 levels over many generations is an unresolved issue. Here we show that ocean conditions projected for the end of the century (approximately 1,000 μatm CO2 and a temperature rise of 1.5–3.0 °C) cause an increase in metabolic rate and decreases in length, weight, condition and survival of juvenile fish. However, these effects are absent or reversed when parents also experience high CO2 concentrations. Our results show that non-genetic parental effects can dramatically alter the response of marine organisms to increasing CO2 and demonstrate that some species have more capacity to acclimate to ocean acidification than previously thought.
Impacts of ocean warming and acidification on the larval development of the barnacle Amphibalanus improvisus
Published 9 May 2012 Science ClosedTags: Baltic, biological response, crustaceans, laboratory, multiple factors, reproduction, salinity, survival, temperature
The world’s oceans are warming and becoming more acidic. Both stressors, singly or in combination, impact marine species, and ensuing effects might be particularly serious for early life stages. To date most studies have focused on ocean acidification (OA) effects in fully marine environments, while little attention has been devoted to more variable coastal ecosystems, such as the Western Baltic Sea. Since natural spatial and temporal variability of environmental conditions such as salinity, temperature or pCO2 impose more complex stresses upon organisms inhabiting these habitats, species can be expected to be more tolerant to OA (or warming) than fully marine taxa. We present data on the variability of salinity, temperature and pH within the Kiel Fjord and on the responses of the barnacle Amphibalanus improvisus from this habitat to simulated warming and OA during its early development. Nauplii and cyprids were exposed to different temperature (12, 20 and 27 °C) and pCO2 (nominally 400, 1250 and 3250 μatm) treatments for 8 and 4 weeks, respectively. Survival, larval duration and settlement success were monitored. Warming affected larval responses more strongly than OA. Increased temperatures favored survival and development of nauplii but decreased survival of cyprids. OA had no effect upon survival of nauplii but enhanced their development at low (12 °C) and high (27 °C) temperatures. In contrast, at the intermediate temperature (20 °C), nauplii were not affected even by 3250 μatm pCO2. None of the treatments significantly affected settlement success of cyprids. These experiments show a remarkable tolerance of A. improvisus larvae to 1250 μatm pCO2, the level of OA predicted for the end of the century.
CO2 induced acidification impacts sea urchin larval development II: gene expression patterns in pluteus larvae
Published 4 July 2011 Science ClosedTags: biological response, calcification, echinoderms, gene expression, laboratory, survival
Extensive use of fossil fuels is leading to increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere and causes changes in the carbonate chemistry of the oceans which represents a major sink for anthropogenic CO2. As a result, the oceans’ surface pH is expected to decrease by ca. 0.4 units by the year 2100, a major change with potentially negative consequences for some marine species. Because of their carbonate skeleton, sea urchins and their larval stages are regarded as likely to be one of the more sensitive taxa. In order to investigate sensitivity of pre-feeding (2 days post-fertilization) and feeding (4 and 7 days post-fertilization) pluteus larvae, we raised Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos in control (pH 8.1 and pCO2 41 Pa e.g. 399 μatm) and CO2 acidified seawater with pH of 7.7 (pCO2 134 Pa e.g. 1318 μatm) and investigated growth, calcification and survival. At three time points (day 2, day 4 and day 7 post-fertilization), we measured the expression of 26 representative genes important for metabolism, calcification and ion regulation using RT-qPCR.
After one week of development, we observed a significant difference in growth. Maximum differences in size were detected at day 4 (ca. 10 % reduction in body length). A comparison of gene expression patterns using PCA and ANOSIM clearly distinguished between the different age groups (Two way ANOSIM: Global R = 1) while acidification effects were less pronounced (Global R = 0.518). Significant differences in gene expression patterns (ANOSIM R = 0.938, SIMPER: 4.3% difference) were also detected at day 4 leading to the hypothesis that differences between CO2 treatments could reflect patterns of expression seen in control experiments of a younger larva and thus a developmental artifact rather than a direct CO2 effect. We found an up regulation of metabolic genes (between 10 to 20% in ATP-synthase, citrate synthase, pyruvate kinase and thiolase at day 4) and down regulation of calcification related genes (between 23 and 36% in msp130, SM30B, SM50 at day 4). Ion regulation was mainly impacted by up regulation of Na+/K+-ATPase at day 4 (15%) and down regulation of NHE3 at day 4 (45%). We conclude that in studies in which a stressor induces an alteration in the speed of development, it is crucial to employ experimental designs with a high time resolution in order to correct for developmental artifacts. This helps prevent misinterpretation of stressor effects on organism physiology.
Post-larval development of two intertidal barnacles at elevated CO2 and temperature
Published 2 April 2010 Science ClosedTags: biological response, calcification, crustaceans, growth, survival
Ocean acidification and global warming are occurring concomitantly, yet few studies have investigated how organisms will respond to increases in both temperature and CO2. Intertidal microcosms were used to examine growth, shell mineralogy and survival of two intertidal barnacle post-larvae, Semibalanus balanoides and Elminius modestus, at two temperatures (14 and 19°C) and two CO2 concentrations (380 and 1,000 ppm), fed with a mixed diatom-flagellate diet at 15,000 cells ml−1 with flow rate of 10 ml−1 min−1. Control growth rates, using operculum diameter, were 14 ± 8 μm day−1 and 6 ± 2 μm day−1 for S. balanoides and E. modestus, respectively. Subtle, but significant decreases in E. modestus growth rate were observed in high CO2 but there were no impacts on shell calcium content and survival by either elevated temperature or CO2. S. balanoides exhibited no clear alterations in growth rate but did show a large reduction in shell calcium content and survival under elevated temperature and CO2. These results suggest that a decrease by 0.4 pH(NBS) units alone would not be sufficient to directly impact the survival of barnacles during the first month post-settlement. However, in conjunction with a 4–5°C increase in temperature, it appears that significant changes to the biology of these organisms will ensue.
