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Description and quantification of pteropod shell dissolution: a sensitive bioindicator of ocean acidification
Author(s) -
Bednaršek Nina,
Tarling Geraint A,
Bakker Dorothee CE,
Fielding Sophie,
Cohen Anne,
Kuzirian Alan,
McCorkle Dan,
Lézé Bertrand,
Montagna Roberto
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02668.x
Subject(s) - bioindicator , ocean acidification , environmental science , dissolution , shell (structure) , oceanography , environmental chemistry , ecology , geology , chemistry , biology , seawater , materials science , composite material
Anthropogenic ocean acidification is likely to have negative effects on marine calcifying organisms, such as shelled pteropods, by promoting dissolution of aragonite shells. Study of shell dissolution requires an accurate and sensitive method for assessing shell damage. Shell dissolution was induced through incubations in CO 2 ‐enriched seawater for 4 and 14 days. We describe a procedure that allows the level of dissolution to be assessed and classified into three main types: Type I with partial dissolution of the prismatic layer; Type II with exposure of underlying crossed‐lamellar layer, and Type III , where crossed‐lamellar layer shows signs of dissolution. Levels of dissolution showed a good correspondence to the incubation conditions, with the most severe damage found in specimens held for 14 days in undersaturated condition (Ω ~ 0.8). This methodology enables the response of small pelagic calcifiers to acidified conditions to be detected at an early stage, thus making pteropods a valuable bioindicator of future ocean acidification.