Ecosystem

Atmospheric nitrogen and sulfur from human activities have substantial impacts on coastal waters, where ocean acidification could have the most severe implications for humans.

Common sunstar larvae and juveniles in ocean acidification conditions grew faster without apparent effects on survival or body structure. Unlike the larvae of some other sea [...]

Studies in Italy and in the Chesapeake Bay, USA, found that seagrasses lost phenolics, which protect against grazing and disease, when living in high CO2/low pH conditions. The findings [...]

Bacterial infection of blue mussels increased under ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)

This field study in Papua New Guinea examined the effects of natural carbon dioxide seeps on coral reef ecosystems. At reduced pH, coral diversity was lower, population replenishment and [...]

Ocean acidification may favor growth of algal turfs rather than kelp forests. Such a change would affect the many species associated with algal turf or kelp forest habitats.

Calcification rate of pteropods dropped 28 percent at pH levels projected for 2100. This result supports the concern for the future of pteropods in a high-CO2 world, as well as of those species [...]

When larvae of Mediterranean pteropods were cultured in pH 7.82 water, they had malformations and less shell growth. At pH 7.51, the larvae did not make shells but survived and showed normal [...]

Although pteropods are able to build shells at low aragonite saturation state, the production of their shell appears to be very sensitive to decreased pH. (Laboratory study)

Increased CO2 and temperature acted together to increase the growth of algal turfs, which produced twice as much biomass and covered four times as much space. Experimental removal of algal turfs [...]