Abstract
Culturing experiments were performed on sediment samples from the Ythan Estuary, N. E. Scotland, to assess the impacts of ocean acidification on test surface ornamentation in the benthic foraminifer Haynesina germanica. Specimens were cultured for 36 weeks at either 380, 750 or 1000 ppm atmospheric CO2. Analysis of the test surface using SEM imaging reveals sensitivity of functionally important ornamentation associated with feeding to changing seawater CO2 levels. Specimens incubated at high CO2 levels displayed evidence of shell dissolution, a significant reduction and deformation of ornamentation. It is clear that these calcifying organisms are likely to be vulnerable to ocean acidification. A reduction in functionally important ornamentation could lead to a reduction in feeding efficiency with consequent impacts on this organism's survival and fitness.
Highlights
Elevated atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), primarily driven by anthropogenic activity, are driving down the pH of the oceans [1]
It is estimated that the oceans have absorbed half of the total anthropogenic CO2 produced in the last 200 years, reducing oceanic pH by 0.1 units [1] and simultaneously affecting the carbonate ion concentration [2]
One of the most significant implications is the likely reduction in calcifying capacity of marine organisms [4,5]
Summary
Elevated atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), primarily driven by anthropogenic activity, are driving down the pH of the oceans [1]. It is estimated that the oceans have absorbed half of the total anthropogenic CO2 produced in the last 200 years, reducing oceanic pH by 0.1 units [1] and simultaneously affecting the carbonate ion concentration [2]. Foraminifera are amoeboid protozoa that constitute one the most widespread and diverse groups of shelled microorganisms in the modern oceans. They occur in planktic and benthic habitats from the intertidal coastal habitats to the deep sea [8]. The majority of benthic foraminifera build their tests (shells) with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) [9] playing an important role in the carbon cycle of intertidal estuarine sediments [10]
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