The metabolic response of pteropods to acidification reflects natural CO2-exposure in oxygen minimum zones.

Four species of pteropods from the tropical Pacific Ocean that naturally migrate into low-oxygen waters were not adversely affected when grown under ocean acidification conditions. However, another pteropod species, which does not migrate, responded to ocean acidification conditions with reduced oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion. This indicates that the natural chemical environment of individual species may influence their resilience to ocean acidification. (Laboratory study)