Spider crab larvae developed more slowly, grew less, and lower physiological fitness under increasing levels of ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)

Sea urchin larvae from the Mediterranean Sea survived at higher rates under ocean acidification conditions, but they grew smaller. Warmer temperatures increased survival and growth rates of the larvae. The results suggest that ocean acidification and warming could boost populations of the sea urchin, increasing its impact on shallow Mediterranean ...

Three direct effects of increasing ocean acidification on marine plankton have been recognized: enhanced phytoplankton growth rate, changing elemental composition of primary produced organic matter, and reduced biogenic calcification.

The immune responses of grazing isopods (Idotea balthica) in the Baltic Sea dropped by 60 to 80 percent after the isopods were placed in ocean acidification conditions for 20 days. In addition, isopods from a low salinity site, where their health was already compromised, suffered 100 percent mortality when placed ...

Brittlestar arms regenerated 30 percent more slowly under ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)

Brittlestar arms regenerated faster in warmer water. However, they did not do so when the temperature increase was accompanied by ocean acidification conditions. This may have occurred because the brittlestars had to devote more of their energy to maintaining calcium carbonate body parts, as calcium carbonate became undersaturated when the ...

The amount of available phosphorus appeared to regulate how much inorganic carbon was used by a red alga grown at different levels of ocean acidification conditions. Growth reflected a balance between carbon and nutrient metabolism. (Laboratory study)

Ten species of zooplankton displayed a range of mortality rates when exposed to ocean acidification conditions. Differences in in swimming behavior, food habits, size, and presence of gills were not significantly related to sensitivity to lowered pH. The results suggest that marine zooplankton are more sensitive than freshwater zooplankton to ...

The combined effect of ocean acidification and rising temperature enhanced the sensitivity of a red alga to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This was reflected in an increased damage rate, decreased repair rate, and decreased ratio of repair to damage in thalli. The findings suggest that ocean acidification and warming will reduce ...

The egg production rate, hatching success, and respiration of a Mediterranean copepod were not affected by ocean acidification conditions. Warming and food availability did have some effects. (Laboratory study)