Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Vulnerability of marine biodiversity to ocean acidification: a meta-analysis
Hendriks, I.E.; Duarte, C.M.; Álvarez, M. (2010). Vulnerability of marine biodiversity to ocean acidification: a meta-analysis. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 86(2): 157-164. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2009.11.022
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Acidification
    Aquatic organisms > Marine organisms
    Biochemical phenomena > Calcification
    pH
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    acidification; biological response; marine organisms; calcification; pH

Authors  Top 
  • Hendriks, I.E., more
  • Duarte, C.M., more
  • Álvarez, M.

Abstract
    The ocean captures a large part of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere. Asa result of the increase in CO2 partial pressure the ocean pH is lowered as compared to pre-industrial times and a further decline is expected. Ocean acidification has been proposed to pose a major threat for marine organisms, particularly shell-forming and calcifying organisms. Here we show, on the basis ofmeta-analysis of available experimental assessments, differences in organism responses to elevated pCO2 and propose that marine biota may be more resistant to ocean acidification than expected. Calcification is most sensitive to ocean acidification while it is questionable if marine functional diversity is impacted significantly along the ranges of acidification predicted for the 21st century. Active biological processes and small-scale temporal and spatial variability in ocean pH may render marine biota far more resistant to ocean acidification than hitherto believed.

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