Sea urchin larvae from the Mediterranean Sea survived at higher rates under ocean acidification conditions, but they grew smaller. Warmer temperatures increased survival and growth rates of the larvae. The results suggest that ocean acidification and warming could boost populations of the sea urchin, increasing its impact on shallow Mediterranean ...
Eighteen marine species exposed to ocean acidification conditions for 60 days exhibited a wide range of responses. Ten of the 18 species were affected negatively with lower rates of net calcification and, in some cases, net loss of shell. Those species included temperate corals, pencil urchins, hard clams, conchs, serpulid ...
Adult green sea urchins exposed to ocean acidification conditons for 56 days ate less food and had 67 percent less growth of their sex glands (gonads). (Laboratory study)
Body fluids of the northern sea urchin became acidified when the urchins lived in ocean acidification conditions for 5 weeks. (Laboratory study)
Sea urchin larvae were able to maintain the pH inside their cells under ocean acidification conditions. (Laboratory study)
Sea urchin larvae normally have alkaline conditions (pH 9.5) in their stomachs. When larvae were exposed to ocean acidification conditions, the pH of their stomachs decreased. This change could reduce the efficiency of digestion and trigger extra feeding to make up for it.
Sea urchins living in ocean acidification conditions for 45 days grew less. They were able to actively maintain the pH outside the cells in their bodies. (Laboratory study)
This study showed the effects of ocean acidification on ecosystems at coastal sites where volcanic CO2 vents lower the pH of the water. Along gradients of normal pH (8.1–8.2) to lowered pH (mean 7.8–7.9, minimum 7.4–7.5), typical rocky shore communities with abundant calcareous organisms shifted to communities lacking scleractinian corals ...
In green sea urchins from the Baltic Sea, the spines appear to be vulnerable to ocean acidification, which might reduce the urchins' protection against predators. Intestinal epithelia may play a role in mediating acid-base balance in the urchin. (Laboratory study)
Experiments with blue mussels from the Baltic Sea revealed a molecular basis of observed changes in physiology in response to ocean acidification. (Laboratory study)
