Abstract
Pteropods are planktonic mollusks that play an important role in the food web of var- ious ecosystems, particularly at high latitudes. Because they produce an aragonitic shell, ptero - pods are expected to be very sensitive to ocean acidification driven by anthropogenic CO2 emis- sions. The effect of ocean acidification was investigated using juveniles of the Arctic pteropod Limacina helicina from the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean. The animals were maintained in 3 controlled pH conditions (total scale pH (pHT) 8.05, 7.90 or 7.75) for 8 d, and their mortality and the linear extension of their shell were monitored. The pH did not impact the mortality rate, but the linear extension of the shell decreased as a function of declining pH. Surprisingly, the ptero - pods were still able to extend their shell at an aragonite saturation state as low as 0.6. Neverthe- less, dissolution marks were visible on the whole shell, indicating that calcium carbonate dissolu- tion had also occurred, casting doubts on the ability of the pteropods to maintain a positive balance between precipitation and dissolution of calcium carbonate under corrosive conditions.
Highlights
Pteropods are pelagic mollusks that play an important role in the food web of extensive oceanic regions, at high latitudes, where they are a major dietary component for zooplankton and higher predators, such as herring, salmon, whales and birds (Hunt et al 2008)
Our study aims to investigate the impact of ocean acidification on the early life stage of Limacina helicina from the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean
We are aware that gas bubbling and the addition of acid and bicarbonate and/or carbonate are the methods that best mimic anthropogenic ocean acidification, acid addition generates changes in the pH, partial pressure of CO2 and CaCO3 saturation state in the same direction as the changes generated by gas bubbling (Gattuso et al 2010)
Summary
Pteropods are pelagic mollusks that play an important role in the food web of extensive oceanic regions, at high latitudes, where they are a major dietary component for zooplankton and higher predators, such as herring, salmon, whales and birds (Hunt et al 2008). They have an aragonitic shell that acts as ballast, facilitating vertical migration, and protection against their environment (Lalli & Gilmer 1989). Pteropods are a current subject of concern due to their sensitivity to ocean acidification, caused by the dissolution of one-fourth of anthropogenic CO2 emissions into the oceans.
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