The effects of ocean acidification on living marine resources present serious challenges for managers of these resources. An understanding of the ecosystem consequences of ocean acidification is required to assess tradeoffs among ecosystem components (e.g. fishery yield, protected species conservation, sensitive habitat) and adaptations to this perturbation. We used a ...

Exponentially rising CO2 (currently ~400 µatm) is driving climate change and causing acidification of both marine and freshwater environments. CO2 directly affects acid–base and ion regulation, respiratory function and aerobic performance in aquatic animals. Elevated CO2 projected for end of this century (e.g. 800–1000 µatm) can also impact physiology, and have substantial ...

This four-page brochure provides an introduction to ocean and coastal acidification, its effects on marine life, why the Northeast is especially vulnerable, research priorities for the region, and what people can do to fight coastal acidification. The information in the brochure is adapted from NECAN's 2015 Oceanography article. 

Differences in essential fatty acid requirements for different species of fish reflect different dietary and metabolic adaptations to different habitats.

Video analysis of Atlantic cod larvae (12 and 27 days post-hatch) showed no significant differences in most aspects of their swimming kinematics when they had been cultured under ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)

Swimming performance of Atlantic cod was not impaired after they had lived under ocean acidification conditions for 4 or 12 months. They did not have different metabolic rates, critical swimming speeds, or aerobic scope compared to those that lived in non-acidified seawater. (Laboratory study)

Juvenile Atlantic cod exposed to ocean acidification conditions for 55 days had reduced weight gain, growth rate, and condition. Growth trajectories of those living in medium and high acidification levels were 2.5 and 7.5 times lower than that of those in the low acidification level. The findings suggest that Atlantic ...

Exposure of early life stages of a common estuarine fish (inland silverside) to ocean acidification conditions expected in the world’s oceans later this century reduced survival by 74 percent and growth by 18 percent. The egg stage was significantly more vulnerable than the post-hatch larval stage. These findings challenge the ...

Exposure of Atlantic herring larvae to ocean acidification conditions resulted in stunted growth and development, poorer condition, and severe tissue damage in many organs. The degree of damage increased at higher levels of ocean acidification. (Laboratory study)

Aerobic scope and cardiac performance of Atlantic halibut increased following 14–16 weeks exposure to elevated temperatures and even more so in combination with CO2-acidified seawater. However, the increase does not translate into improved growth. Instead, long-term exposure to CO2-acidified seawater reduces growth at temperatures that are frequently encountered by this ...