Two dominant marine calcifying phytoplankton species, the coccolithophorids Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica, produced less calcite under ocean acidification conditions. They also had more deformities and higher rates of incomplete development. The findings suggest that ocean acidification could slow down the production of calcium carbonate in the ocean. (Laboratory study) ...
Shell growth of blue mussels from the Baltic Sea decreased under ocean acidification conditions. Data suggest that the reduced shell growth under severe acidification did not result from metabolic depression but from increased cellular energy demand and nitrogen loss. (Laboratory study)
Body fluids of the northern sea urchin became acidified when the urchins lived in ocean acidification conditions for 5 weeks. (Laboratory study)
Shell growth or crystal microstructure of the ocean quahog did not change under different levels of ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)
Sea urchin larvae were able to maintain the pH inside their cells under ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)
Sea urchin larvae normally have alkaline conditions (pH 9.5) in their stomachs. When larvae were exposed to ocean acidification conditions, the pH of their stomachs decreased. This change could reduce the efficiency of digestion and trigger extra feeding to make up for it.
Sea urchins living in ocean acidification conditions for 45 days grew less. They were able to actively maintain the pH outside the cells in their bodies. (Laboratory study)
Two species of brown kelp responded differently to being grown for 55 days under ocean acidification conditions. One grew more, and the other grew less. There were negative indirect effects on black turban snails that fed on the kelp. (Laboratory study)
Ocean acidification conditions and warmer temperatures reduced the survival, development, growth, and lipid synthesis of hard clam and bay scallop larvae. During the juvenile life stages, ocean acidification negatively affected juvenile eastern oysters and bay scallops, but not hard clams. Larvae were substantially more vulnerable to ocean acidication than juveniles ...
Exposure of early life stages of a common estuarine fish (inland silverside) to ocean acidification conditions expected in the world’s oceans later this century reduced survival by 74 percent and growth by 18 percent. The egg stage was significantly more vulnerable than the post-hatch larval stage. These findings challenge the ...
