Ocean Acidification May Increase Calcification Rates - But At A Cost

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 13 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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As the Oceans take up man made carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, their chemistry is changing faster than ever before; a phenomenon known as "Ocean acidification".

Here we show that Ocean acidification has a positive effect on calcification and metabolic activity in the brittlestar Amphiura filiformis; contrary to previous thinking.

However, this positive effect comes at a biological cost, seen as muscle wastage.

Our study demonstrates that whilst organisms may be able to respond to Ocean acidification in a previously unexpected way, the energy trade-offs associated with this response present a considerable threat to the future survival of calcifying species.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

www.publishing.royalsociety.org/proceedingsb