Climate change, rising atmospheric carbon dioxide, excess nutrient inputs, and pollution in its many forms are fundamentally altering the chemistry of the ocean, often on a global scale and, in some cases, at rates greatly exceeding those in the historical and recent geological record. Major observed trends include a shift ...

A species of burrowing shrimp was able to tolerate ocean acidification conditions (pH 7.64) for 35 days. At a lower pH of 7.35, individuals experienced extracellular acidosis, suggesting they had little or no buffering capacity, although there was no evidence of negative impacts on metabolism, osmotic regulation, shell mineralogy, growth, ...

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 star species that feed on plankton, larval common sunstars rely on nutrition provided in their egg. This difference in life history may enable some ...

Green sea urchins were able to adjust their internal pH level within 5 days after being placed in ocean acidification conditions, but sea stars (Leptasterias polaris) were not. Internal pH did not appear to be related to immune response. (Laboratory study)

A coralline red alga that lives in tide pools, where it is common for CO2 levels to fluctuate tremendously daily and seasonally, was relatively robust to ocean acidification conditions, compared to other types of coralline algae. (Laboratory study)

While ocean acidification may have some negative effects on the eggs of amphipods, exposure to low-salinity water is likely to affect the eggs more, based on ocean acidification trends projected for the next 300 years. (Laboratory study)

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.

Ocean acidification did not have a major impact at the cellular level in the gill epithelia of green crabs. (Laboratory study)

A species of copepod (Tisbe battagliai) had decreased reproduction and growth when exposed to ocean acidification conditions. Over time, these changes could result in smaller brood sizes, smaller females, and perhaps later maturing females, which could destabilize the food web. (Laboratory study)

When Atlantic herring eggs were fertilized, incubated, and hatched in ocean acidification conditions, there was no effect on embryo development or hatch rate. There was also no clear relationship between ocean acidification and length, weight, yolk sac area, or otolith area of the newly hatched larvae. However, the larvae did ...