Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
EU Network of Excellence

 
Main Menu

· Home
· Contacts
· Data Systems
· Documents
· FAQ
· Links
· MarBEF Open Archive
· Network Description
· Outreach
· Photo Gallery
· Quality Assurance
· Register of Resources
· Research Projects
· Rules and Guidelines
· Training
· Wiki
· Worldconference

 

Register of Resources (RoR)

 People  |  Datasets  |  Literature  |  Institutes  |  Projects 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [208571]
Effect of ocean acidification on the early life stages of the Baltic tellin Macoma balthica
Debusschere, E. (2011). Effect of ocean acidification on the early life stages of the Baltic tellin Macoma balthica. MSc Thesis. Ghent University: Gent. 29 pp.

Thesis info:

Available in  Author 
Document type: Dissertation

Keywords
    Acidification
    Macoma balthica (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

Author  Top 
  • Debusschere, E.

Abstract
    Ocean acidification alters the chemical nature of seawater heading towards a more acidic ocean. Several studies have shown the vulnerability of calcifying organisms, especially the sensitivity of their early life stages. Here, we present the results of the effects of increasing pCO2 and associated decreasing pH on the early life stages of the Baltic tellin Macoma balthica. Fertilization success, embryonic and larval development were examined under 3 pH treatments (pHNBS ~ 8.11; pHNBS ~ 7.79; pHNBS ~ 7.56). Fertilization success after 24 hours was only significantly affected under pHNBS 7.66 and was reduced with ~ 15.3%. Embryonic development showed similar hatching rate after 3 days at pHNBS 8.11 and 7.77 however, the hatching rate was significantly reduced by ~ 62.4% under pHNBS 7.54. In contrast to the absence of a significant effect of ocean acidification on both fertilization and embryonic development at pHNBS ~ 7.77, larval development (day 3 – day 19) was significantly altered. Mortality rates were significantly elevated whilst growth rates were significantly reduced. No significant delay in metamorphosis was observed. Remarkably, no more severe impacts were found with a decrease of ~ 0.55 pHNBS unit compared to the decrease of 0.32 pHNBS unit. Despite these reductions, gametes of Macoma balthica are still able to fertilize in acidified seawater and the embryos and larvae are capable to develop even in seawater undersaturated with respect to aragonite. However, the observed increased mortality and reduced growth will augment pre-settlement mortality. Consequently, future Macoma balthica populations are likely to shrink under elevating carbon dioxide pressure and decreasing pH.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Author 


If any information here appears to be incorrect, please contact us
Back to Register of Resources
 
Quick links

MarBEF WIKI

Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC)
Outreach

Science
Responsive Mode Programme (RMP) - Marie Nordstrom, copyright Aspden Rebecca

WoRMS
part of WoRMS logo

ERMS 2.0
Epinephelus marginatus Picture: JG Harmelin

EurOBIS

Geographic System

Datasets

 


Web site hosted and maintained by Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) - Contact data-at-marbef.org