Under conditions expected in the 21st century, global warming and ocean acidification will cause corals to become increasingly rare on reef systems. This review presents future scenarios for coral reefs that predict increasingly serious consequences for reef-associated fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, and people.
When grown under ocean acidification conditions, a non-calcifying seaweed (Chondrus crispus) grew to cover more area, while a calcifying alga (Corallina officinalis) decreased in the area it covered. (Laboratory experiment)
A coralline alga took up and used carbon and nutrients differently when living under ocean acidification conditions for 12 weeks, and the changes affected its ability to compete with other macroalgae (seaweed). (Laboratory study)
Growth and photosynthetic efficiency of a coralline alga decreased under high CO2 levels. These changes could affect the alga's ability to compete with other macroalgae (seaweeds). (Laboratory study)
Corals collected in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, exhibited a complex set of responses when exposed to ocean acidification conditions, different nutrient levels, and two different temperatures. For example, female corals were more sensitive than males to elevated CO2 levels. Considering gender and spawning may be important when considering how populations of ...
The calcium carbonate skeleton of a coralline red alga was estimated to become highly vulnerable to dissolving at an aragonite saturation state between 1.1 and 0.9, which is projected to occur in some parts of the Arctic between 2030 and 2050 if carbon emissions follow "business as usual" scenarios. (Laboratory ...
The release of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) by marine algae has major impacts on the global sulphur cycle and may influence local climate through the formation of dimethylsulphide (DMS). However, the effect of global change on DMSP/DMS (DMS(P)) production by algae is not well understood. This study examined the effect of low pH ...
Survival of pteropods in Puget Sound, Washington, may not be greatly affected by present ocean pH levels and those projected for the near future, although their shells may be more prone to dissolving. (Laboratory study)
The common sea star (Asterias rubens) appeared to withstand the effects of reduced seawater pH, at least for short-term exposures of 15 to 27 days, with no significant changes in the strength of its tube feet or the RNA/DNA ratio of its tissues. (Laboratory study)
Marine phytoplankton have many characteristics, such as rapid cell division rates and large population sizes, that may enable them to adapt to ocean acidification and other types of global change. This paper reviews findings from previous studies to evaluate whether this adaptation is likely to occur, and it stresses the ...
