Ocean acidification impairs vermetid reef recruitment
Milazzo, M.; Rodolfo-Metalpa, R.; Bin San Chan, V.; Fine, M.; Alessi, C.; Thiyagarajan, V.; Hall-Spencer, J.M.; Chemello, R. (2014). Ocean acidification impairs vermetid reef recruitment. NPG Scientific Reports 4(4189): 7 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep04189
In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more
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| Keywords |
Climate Change
Environmental Managers & Monitoring
Marine Sciences > Biodiversity
Marine Sciences > Oceanography
Policy Makers / Decision Makers
Scientific Community
Scientific Publication
Marine/Coastal |
| Project | Top | Authors |
- Association of European marine biological laboratories, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Milazzo, M.
- Rodolfo-Metalpa, R.
- Bin San Chan, V.
- Fine, M.
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- Alessi, C.
- Thiyagarajan, V.
- Hall-Spencer, J.M.
- Chemello, R.
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| Abstract |
Vermetids form reefs in sub-tropical and warm-temperate waters that protect coasts from erosion, regulate sediment transport and accumulation, serve as carbon sinks and provide habitat for other species. The gastropods that form these reefs brood encapsulated larvae; they are threatened by rapid environmental changes since their ability to disperse is very limited. We used transplant experiments along a natural CO2 gradient to assess ocean acidification effects on the reef-building gastropod Dendropoma petraeum. We found that although D. petraeum were able to reproduce and brood at elevated levels of CO2, recruitment success was adversely affected. Long-term exposure to acidified conditions predicted for the year 2100 and beyond caused shell dissolution and a significant increase in shell Mg content. Unless CO2 emissions are reduced and conservation measures taken, our results suggest these reefs are in danger of extinction within this century, with significant ecological and socioeconomic ramifications for coastal systems. |
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