When eelgrass was grown for a year under ocean acidification conditions in outdoor aquaria, they had greater reproductive output, below-ground biomass, and proliferation of new shoots. The findings suggest that ocean acidification will increase the productivity of seagrass meadows. (Laboratory study)
Growth rate and biomass of a seaweed (the red alga Chrondrus crispus) increased only when ocean acidification was accompanied by warmer temperatures. Photosynthesis was reduced under ocean acidification conditions. (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)
When they were exposed to air at low tide, photosynthesis by three species of intertidal seaweeds was not saturated at present-day levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). They may benefit, while exposed to air, from atmospheric CO2 rise.
A coralline alga had reduced calcification in ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)
When a coralline alga was exposed to both ocean acidification and solar UV radiation, its growth, photosynthesis, and calcification rates were greatly reduced, compared to when it was exposed only to solar UV radiation. The calcified layer of the alga appeared to provide protection from UV. The results imply that ...
The effects of ocean acidification on the growth and shell production by juvenile and adult shelled molluscs are variable among species and even within the same species, precluding the drawing of a general picture. This is, however, not the case for pteropods, with all species tested so far, being negatively ...
Higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced growth of a green seaweed (Ulva rigida). (Laboratory study)
A brown seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) grew more slowly in ocean acidification conditions. Consumption of the seaweed by an isopod (Idotea emarginata) was not affected by ocean acidification or temperature. However, reduced growth of the seaweed at high CO2 concentrations might reduce its capability to recover from intense herbivory.
This study showed the effects of ocean acidification on ecosystems at coastal sites where volcanic CO2 vents lower the pH of the water. Along gradients of normal pH (8.1–8.2) to lowered pH (mean 7.8–7.9, minimum 7.4–7.5), typical rocky shore communities with abundant calcareous organisms shifted to communities lacking scleractinian corals ...
