OCEANOGRAPHY. Contrasting futures for ocean and society from different anthropogenic CO₂ emissions scenarios

Warming and UV Radiation Alleviate the Effect of Virus Infection on the Microalga Emiliania huxleyi

The marine microalga Emiliania huxleyi is widely distributed in the surface oceans and is prone to infection by coccolithoviruses that can terminate its blooms. However, little is known about how global change factors like solar UV radiation (UVR) and ocean warming affect the host-virus interaction. We grew the microalga at 2 temperature levels with or without the virus in the presence or absence of UVR and investigated the physiological and transcriptional responses. We showed that viral infection noticeably reduced photosynthesis and growth of the alga but was less harmful to its physiology under conditions where UVR influenced viral DNA expression. In the virus-infected cells, the combination of UVR and warming (+4°C) led to a 13-fold increase in photosynthetic carbon fixation rate, with warming alone contributing a change of about 5-7-fold. This was attributed to upregulated expression of genes related to carboxylation and light-harvesting proteins under the influence of UVR, and to warming-reduced infectivity. In the absence of UVR, viral infection downregulated the metabolic pathways of photosynthesis and fatty acid degradation. Our results suggest that solar UV exposure in a warming ocean can reduce the severity of viral attack on this ecologically important microalga, potentially prolonging its blooms.

Toxicity of PAHs-enriched sediments on meiobenthic communities under ocean warming and CO2-driven acidification scenarios

This study aimed to assess the interactive effects of CO2-driven acidification, temperature rise, and PAHs toxicity on meiobenthic communities. Laboratory microcosms were established in a full factorial experimental design, manipulating temperature (25 °C and 27 °C), pH (8.1 and 7.6), and PAH contamination (acenaphthene + benzo(a)pyrene spiked sediments and negative control). Temperature rise and CO2-driven acidification led to a decrease in the densities of Copepoda. The density of nematodes Pseudochromadora and Daptonema also decreased, while Sphaerotheristus and Sabatieria densities increased, particularly in the absence of CO2-driven acidification. Ostracoda densities increased in the acidified scenario. PAH contamination resulted in decreased Daptonema densities but increased Turbellaria and certain Nematoda genera (e.g. Pseudochromadora). Overall, the results indicate that the changes of meiobenthic communities caused by CO2 acidification, warming, and PAH contamination are shaped by the vulnerability and tolerance of each taxonomic group, alongside indirect effects observed in Nematoda assemblages.

The effects of ocean warming and elevated CO2 on the feeding behavior and physiology of two sympatric mesograzers

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have increased significantly since pre-industrial times, leading to ocean warming and acidification. These environmental changes affect the physiology of marine organisms as they modify metabolic processes. Despite the critical role of temperature and pH in marine biology, studies of their combined effects are limited. This study investigated the interactive effects of ocean warming and acidification on the feeding behavior and physiology of two sympatric amphipods, Hyale niger and Cymadusa filosa. Using an orthogonal experimental design with two temperatures (27 °C and 30 °C) and two pH levels (7.8 and 7.5), we assessed feeding rates, respiration rates, ammonia excretion, and O/N ratios. Results indicated that C. filosa was less tolerant to these stressors than H. niger. While H. niger showed no significant changes between treatments, C. filosa showed reduced feeding rates and altered physiological responses to elevated temperature and decreased pH. Reducing the feeding rate of C. filosa may favor macroalgal biomass and strengthen bottom-up control in phytal communities. In addition, increased ammonia excretion in C. filosa suggests increased protein catabolism to meet energy demands at higher temperatures, despite reduced oxygen consumption. This indicates a compromised metabolism and a reduction in circulating oxygen capacity for C. filosa. The study shows heterogeneous responses to climate change, highlighting the need to assess combined environmental stressors in different species to accurately understand the impacts of climate change.

Transcriptome and lipidome integration unveils key mechanisms constraining bivalve larval sensitivity in an acidifying sea

The intensity, frequencye and duration of seawater acidification in coastal seas have already surpassed projections for open oceans. Bivalve larvae are extremely sensitive to intensifying coastal seawater acidificaiton during their initial shell building, a critical period constraining recruitment success and population maintenance, but underlying mechanisms of larval shell formation sensitivity to acidification remain largely debated. Here, we performed an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and lipidome of trochophore of Ruditapes philippinarum to compare the core molecular responses involved in initial shell formation under ambient (pH 8.1), moderately (pH 7.7), and severely (pH 7.4) acidified conditions. Ocean acidification (OA) affected the ion transport efficiency by inhibiting gene expression of key ion transporters, thereby inhibiting initial shell formation, but the gene downregulation in the moderate exposure group was more significant. OA also induced major membrane lipid remodeling in larvae, which also significantly affected the ion transport efficiency. The TAG content of larvae which sustained the energy supply for active transport of calcification substrates and synthesis of organic matrix in the severe exposure group was significantly reduced. Overall, OA inhibited the formation of the initial larval shell, but different levels of OA had different inhibitory mechanisms on the initial larval shell formation, and the present study also further identified the role of lipids in initial shell formation, which can provide a theoretical basis for for a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of the impact of OA on bivalve calcification in an acidifying ocean.

Short-term negative effects of seawater acidification on the rhodolith holobionts metatranscriptome

Rhodolith holobionts are formed by calcareous coralline algae (e.g., Corallinales) and associated microbiomes. The largest rhodolith bank in the South Atlantic is located in the Abrolhos Bank, in southwestern Brazil, covering an area of 22,000 km2. Rhodoliths serve as nurseries for marine life. However, ocean acidification threatens them with extinction. The acute effects of high pCO₂ levels on rhodolith metatranscriptomes remain unknown. This study investigates the transcriptomic profiles of rhodoliths exposed to short-term (96-h) high pCO₂ levels (up to 1638 ppm). Metatranscriptomes were generated for both dead and alive rhodoliths (15.48 million Illumina reads in total). Alive rhodoliths showed an enrichment of gene transcripts related to environmental stress responses and photosynthesis (Cyanobacteria). In contrast, the metatranscriptomes of dead rhodoliths were dominated by heterotrophic (Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes) metabolism and virulence factors. The rhodolith holobiont metatranscriptomes respond rapidly to short-term acidification (within 1 h), suggesting that these holobionts may have some capacity to cope with acute acidification effects. However, the negative impacts of prolonged ocean acidification on rhodolith health cannot be overlooked. Rhodoliths exposed to low pH (7.5) for 96 h exhibited a completely altered transcriptomic profile compared to controls. This study highlights the plasticity of rhodolith transcriptomes in the face of ocean acidification and climate change.

Thalassia hemprichii may benefit from ocean acidification and slightly increased salinity in the future

Since the industrial revolution, the direct impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations, such as ocean acidification, and indirect impacts, such as extreme drought events, have synergistically influenced coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadow. Consequently, investigating the individual and combined effects of ocean acidification and extreme drought-induced increased salinity on seagrasses is crucial for enhancing the management and monitoring of these ecosystems. This study used a two-factor crossover indoor simulation experiment to thoroughly examine the effects of seawater acidification at pH 7.7 and elevated salinity levels at 43‰ and 51‰ on the physiological responses and growth status of the dominant tropical seagrass species Thalassia hemprichii. The results indicated that seawater acidification at pH 7.7 significantly enhanced the growth rate and photosynthetic activity of T. hemprichii across all salinity levels. A salinity of 43‰ activated certain antioxidant enzymes without inducing severe osmotic stress in T. hemprichii and positively influenced leaf photosynthetic activity, with a 15.6% increase in growth rate compared to the CK group. The extreme salinity of 51‰ imposed osmotic stress, leading to increase in reactive oxygen species and decreased photosynthetic activity and a 52% decrease in growth rate compared to seagrasses in the CK group. Under future scenarios of ocean acidification and frequent extreme droughts, T. hemprichii inhabiting enclosed marine environments may exhibit greater adaptability and secure an ecologically competitive edge. Our findings underscore the importance of conserving declining meadows, forecasting the ecological trajectory of these ecosystems, and managing salinity in lagoons for the well-being of seagrass ecosystems.

Multi-Bioinspired Fog Harvesting Structure with Asymmetric Surface for Hydrogen Revolution

The urgent need for sustainable energy storage drives the fast development of diverse hydrogen production based on clean water resources. Herein, a unique type of multi-bioinspired functional device (MFD) is reported with asymmetric wettability that combines the curvature gradient of cactus spines, the wetting gradient of lotus, and the slippery surface of Nepenthes alata for efficient fog harvesting. The precisely printed MFDs with microscale features, spanning dimensions, and a thin wall are endowed with asymmetric wettability to enable the Janus effects on their surfaces. Fog condenses on the superhydrophobic surface of the MFDs in the form of microdroplets and unidirectionally penetrates its interior due to the Janus effects, and drops onto the designated area with a better fog harvesting rate of 10.64 g cm-2 h-1. Most significantly, the collected clean water can be used for hydrogen production with excellent stability and durability. The findings demonstrate that safe, large-scale, high-performance water splitting and gas separation and collection with fog collection based on MFDs are possible.

The dynamics of adaptive evolution in microalgae in a high-CO2 ocean

Marine microalgae demonstrate a notable capacity to adapt to high CO2 and warming in the context of global change. However, the dynamics of their evolutionary processes under simultaneous high CO₂ and warming conditions remain poorly understood. Here, we analyze the dynamics of evolution in experimental populations of a model marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We conducted whole-genome resequencing of populations under ambient, high-CO2, warming and high CO2 + warming at 2-yr intervals over a 4-yr adaptation period. The common genes selected between 2- and 4-yr adaptation were found to be involved in protein ubiquitination and degradation and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and were consistently selected regardless of the experimental conditions or adaptation duration. The unique genes selected only by 4-yr adaptation function in respiration, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism, facilitating adaptation to prolonged high CO2 with warming conditions. Corresponding changes at the metabolomic level, with significant alterations in metabolites abundances involved in these pathways, support the genomic findings. Our study, integrating genomic and metabolomic data, demonstrates that long-term adaptation of microalgae to high CO2 and/or warming can be characterized by a complex and dynamic genetic process and may advance our understanding of microalgae adaptation to global change.

Performance of Acanthina monodon juveniles under long-term exposure to predicted climate change conditions

The increase of anthropogenic CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere reduces the pH and raises the temperature of the oceans. The combination of both factors impacts the physiological responses and calcium carbonate structures of marine organisms. This study assessed the performance of the juvenile stage of the gastropod Acanthina monodon, after it was continuously exposed to treatments at two pCO2 levels (400 and 1200 μatm) at two temperatures (10 °C and 15 °C) during the periods of embryonic encapsulated development and the early post-hatching juvenile stage. Juvenile performance was evaluated by quantifying shell growth, survival, foot adhesion strength, shell breakage resistance, and oxygen consumption rates. The results indicate that the combination of increased temperature and decreased pH increased juvenile shell growth, while only the decrease in pH had a negative effect on shell strength. However, juveniles were able to attach more strongly to substrates following exposure to the higher temperature level. Furthermore, the interaction of treatments had no effect on the metabolic rate or survival of juveniles, suggesting a possible compensatory effect of the juveniles to the more adverse conditions to which they were exposed.

Cellular and genetic responses of Phaeodactylum tricornutum to seawater acidification and copper exposure

The ongoing decline in seawater pH, driven by the absorption of excess atmospheric CO2, represents a major environmental issue. This reduction in pH can interact with metal pollution, resulting in complex effects on marine phytoplankton. In this study, we examined the combined impacts of seawater acidification and copper (Cu) exposure on the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Our data indicate that elevated pCO2 had a minor effect on the growth and photochemistry and overall performance of P. tricornutum. However, seawater acidification significantly influenced cell size, surface roughness, and adhesion. Higher pCO2 levels led to increased Cu accumulation in P. tricornutum under low ambient Cu concentrations, while significantly reducing Cu accumulation. The smaller cell size and reduced negative charge on the cell surface may explain the decreased Cu accumulation and toxicity. In response to metal stress, P. tricornutum upregulated Cu efflux to mitigate the increased Cu stress in acidified seawater. The expression of the metal transporter gene CTR1 and the reductase gene FRE1 were significantly downregulated, while ATPase5-1B was upregulated in cells exposed to elevated Cu concentrations at 1200 μatm pCO2. Our study provides useful insights into the interactions between metals and diatoms in an increasingly acidified ocean.

Global impacts of land use on terrestrial carbon emissions since 1850

Since the Industrial Revolution, significant changes in global land-use patterns have occurred, which have disrupted terrestrial carbon emissions. However, the disturbance processes, change trends, and distribution patterns are not clear. Therefore, the changes in terrestrial carbon emissions (Eluc) caused by land-use change (LUC) since 1850 were analyzed in this study. The results showed that, owing to the sharp decrease in forestland (-13.39 %; 84.26 × 105 km2) and significant increases in built-up land (+1360.4 %; 7.21 × 105 km2), cropland (+175.8 %; 130.88 × 105 km2), and grassland (+162.6 %; 239.73 × 105 km2), the global Eluc increased from 0.42 Pg C in 1850 to 11.05 Pg C in 2018, with an average annual increase of approximately 3.42 Pg C yr-1, while the average annual carbon emissions after the 21st century reached 9.65 Pg C yr-1. Among them, direct Eluc increased by approximately 0.80 Pg C yr-1 and indirect Eluc increased by 2.62 Pg C yr-1. In addition, from 1850 to 2018, global Eluc was approximately 578.26 Pg C, with North America, Europe, and Asia being the largest regional sources. Our results highlight the changing trend and distribution pattern of global terrestrial carbon emissions under the influence of LUC since the Industrial Revolution and provide a scientific basis for regional and sectoral formulation of low-carbon emission-reduction policies and planning of low-carbon land-use patterns.

Long-term warming and acidification interaction drives plastic acclimation in the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries

Ocean warming (OW) and acidification (OA) are expected to interactively impact key phytoplankton groups such as diatoms, but the underlying mechanisms, particularly under long-term acclimation, remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the responses of the toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries to combined changes in temperature (20 °C and 30 °C) and CO2 concentration (pCO2 400 μatm and 1000 μatm) using a multi-omics approach over an acclimation period of at least 251 generations. Physiological data suggest that elevated temperature, either alone or in combination with CO2, reduced the net photosynthesis and nitrate uptake rate, thus inhibiting P. multiseries growth. Conversely, elevated CO2 alone stimulated P. multiseries growth. Comparative genome analysis revealed the phenotypic plasticity in response to temperature and pCO2 variations, even after more than 251 generations acclimation period. Temperature was identified as the dominant environmental factor, showing stronger effects than CO2. Transcriptomic profiles indicated that genes involved in stress- and intracellular homeostasis such as Hsps, ubiquitination process and antioxidant defense were mostly down-regulated under long-term warming acclimation. This study demonstrates that P.multiseries responds similarly to both short-term and long-term experimental selection, suggesting that short-term experiments can be used to predict long-term responses.

Parental effects provide an opportunity for coral resilience following major bleaching events

Identifying processes that promote coral reef recovery and resilience is crucial as ocean warming becomes more frequent and severe. Sexual reproduction is essential for the replenishment of coral populations and maintenance of genetic diversity; however, the ability for corals to reproduce may be impaired by marine heatwaves that cause coral bleaching. In 2014 and 2015, the Hawaiian Islands experienced coral bleaching with differential bleaching susceptibility in the species Montipora capitata, a dominant reef-building coral in the region. We tested the hypothesis that coral bleaching resistance enhances reproductive capacity and offspring performance by examining the reproductive biology of colonies that bleached and recovered (B) and colonies that did not bleach (NB) in 2015 in the subsequent spawning seasons. The proportion of colonies that spawned was higher in 2016 than in 2017. Regardless of parental bleaching history, we found eggs with higher abnormality and bundles with fewer eggs in 2016 than 2017. While reproductive output was similar between B and NB colonies in 2016, survivorship of offspring that year were significantly influenced by the parental bleaching history (egg donor × sperm donor: B × B, B × NB, NB × B, and NB × NB). Offspring produced by NB egg donors had the highest survivorship, while offspring from previously bleached colonies had the lowest survivorship, highlighting the negative effects of bleaching on parental investment and offspring performance. While sexual reproduction continues in M. capitata post-bleaching, gametes are differentially impacted by recovery time following a bleaching event and by parental bleaching resistance. Our results demonstrate the importance of identifying bleaching resistant individuals during and after heating events. This study further highlights the significance of maternal effects through potential egg provisioning for offspring survivorship and provides a baseline for human-assisted intervention (i.e., selective breeding) to mitigate the effects of climate change on coral reefs.

Transcriptome response in a marine copepod under multigenerational exposure to ocean warming and Ni at an environmentally realistic concentration

Due to anthropogenic activities, coastal areas have been challenged with multi-stresses such as ocean warming and nickel (Ni) pollution. Currently, studies have concerned the combined effects of Ni and warming in marine organisms at the phenotypic level; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly known. In this study, a marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus was maintained under warming (+ 4℃) and an environmentally realistic level of Ni (20 μg/L) alone or combined for three generations (F0-F2). Transcriptome analysis was performed for the F2 individuals. We found that the gene transcripts of copepods were predominantly down-regulated after Ni and warming exposure. Based on the results of GO and KEGG analysis, chitin metabolism, detoxification, antioxidant, apoptosis, and energy metabolism were screened in this study. Among the above functions, the combined exposure enriched more differential expression genes and had a larger fold change compared to Ni exposure alone, suggesting that warming increased the negative effect of Ni on marine copepods from a molecular perspective. Specifically, the combined exposure exacerbated the down-regulation of defense, apoptosis, xenobiotic efflux, GSH system, and energy metabolism, as well as the up-regulation of detoxification and peroxidase system. Overall, this study indicates that both ocean warming and Ni pollution adversely affect the marine copepod T. japonicus from multigenerational transcriptome analysis, especially warming increased Ni toxicity to marine copepods, and our results also provide references to the mechanism concerning the effects of Ni and warming on marine copepods.

Effects of Environmental and Climatic Changes on Coral Reef Islands

Coral reef islands are low-lying, wave-deposited sedimentary landforms. Using an eco-morphodynamic framework, this review examines the sensitivity of islands to climatic and environmental change. Reef island formation and morphological dynamics are directly controlled by nearshore wave processes and ecologically mediated sediment supply. The review highlights that reef islands are intrinsically dynamic landforms, able to adjust their morphology (size, shape, and location) on reef surfaces in response to changes in these processes. A suite of ecological and oceanographic processes also indirectly impact hydrodynamic and sediment processes and thereby regulate morphological change, though the temporal scales and magnitudes of impacts on islands vary, leading to divergent morphodynamic outcomes. Climatic change will modify the direct and indirect processes, causing complex positive and negative outcomes on islands. Understanding this complexity is critical to improve predictive capabilities for island physical change and resolve the timescales of change and lag times for impacts to be expressed in island systems.

Why partner? Harnessing value from collaborative sustainable business models to restore coral reefs at scale

Tropical coral reefs provide a wide range of ecosystem services that benefit millions worldwide. However, the current scale of coral reef restoration is a long way from matching the extent needed to protect coral reefs globally, and this implementation gap presents a complex challenge to overcome. Cross-sectoral collaborative sustainable business models (CSBMs) present an interesting opportunity to scale up coral restoration, though this area is yet to be explored in the literature. In this paper, we use the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program in the Great Barrier Reef as a case study to examine potential collaborators, their roles, and what benefits motivate them to partner for scaling coral restoration. We identified a diverse range of potential collaborators from 10 sectors offering different combinations of physical, human and organisational capitals. Participants described nine roles they could play in such a partnership, and many of these roles relate to ecosystem growth scaling strategies. Benefits that motivate collaboration fall into seven categories: environmental benefit, business opportunity and value, employment opportunity, knowledge and technology, innovation, hope, and reputation. Our findings contribute to designing CSBMs for coral restoration by enriching our understanding of collaborators, value creation and their potential roles in alternative pathways to scale up coral restoration beyond reducing unit cost and increasing funding.

Plankton food web structure and productivity under ocean alkalinity enhancement

Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a nature-based technology for CO2 removal and storage, but little is known about its environmental safety. We tested a CO2-equilibrated OAE deployment in a close-to-natural community using in situ mesocosms in the oligotrophic subtropical North Atlantic and assessed metazoan zooplankton to inform about food web stability, structure, and production. In addition, a literature review complemented experimental results by summarizing physiological responses of marine animals to decreasing proton concentrations, or increased pH. The food web studied proved resistant, and zooplankton physiologically tolerant, to the OAE tested. We observed short-term effects of OAE on zooplankton reproduction and productivity, which were likely trophically mediated. Yet, these did not affect zooplankton populations or their nutritional value as food for fish. Our study demonstrates an environmentally safe OAE application, but also stresses the risks of more intense OAE options, and the vulnerabilities of other marine ecosystems.

Impacts of climate-related stressors on social group cohesion and individual sociability in fish

Group-living in animals comes with a number of benefits associated with predator avoidance, foraging, and reproduction. A large proportion of fish species display grouping behaviour. Fish may also be particularly vulnerable to climate-related stressors including thermal variation, hypoxia, and acidification. As climate-related stressors are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency, any effects on fish behaviour may be increased and affect the ability of fish species to cope with changing conditions. Here we conduct a systematic review of the effects of temperature, hypoxia, and acidification on individual sociability and group cohesion in shoaling and schooling fishes. Searches of the published and grey literature were carried out, and studies were included or excluded based on selection criteria. Data from studies were then included in a meta-analysis to examine broad patterns of effects of climate-related stressors in the literature. Evidence was found for a reduction in group cohesion at low oxygen levels, which was stronger in smaller groups. While several studies reported effects of temperature and acidification, there was no consistent effect of either stressor on sociability or cohesion. There was some evidence that marine fishes are more strongly negatively affected by acidification compared with freshwater species, but results are similarly inconsistent and more studies are required. Additional studies of two or more stressors in combination are also needed, although one study found reduced sociability following exposure to acidification and high temperatures. Overall, there is some evidence that hypoxia, and potentially other climate-related environmental changes, impact sociability and group cohesion in fishes. This may reduce survival and adaptability in shoaling and schooling species and have further ecological implications for aquatic systems. However, this synthesis mainly highlights the need for more empirical studies examining the effects of climate-related factors on social behaviour in fishes.

The Loss of Beneficial Thermal Priming on Global Coral Reefs

Warm-season marine heatwaves (MHWs) have greatly increased in frequency, severity, and extent over the last few decades, driving more frequent and severe coral bleaching episodes. Given the grave near-term threat to coral reefs imposed by MHWs, it is important to assess the mechanisms by which corals may acquire higher thermal tolerance. Recent field and laboratory studies have demonstrated that exposure to sublethal heat stress, known as "priming," can reduce bleaching susceptibility during a subsequent MHW. Little is known, however, about how often priming conditions occur, and how effective those conditions may be at protecting coral reefs. We employed a global historical coral bleaching database and a high-resolution sea surface temperature dataset to assess the frequency of priming and examine its effect on coral bleaching sensitivity on a global scale. The analysis showed that coral reefs in parts of the western to central tropical Pacific experienced priming on average over twice a decade and had a higher likelihood of priming protection. Mixed-effects regression models indicated that priming conditions could mitigate coral bleaching response by up to 12% in advance of a moderate MHW. However, the protective effect of priming decreased, and even became harmful, with more severe MHWs. We detected spatial variations in priming frequency that could provide insight for conservation planning and explain some variations in bleaching sensitivity to MHWs. Even so, our findings suggest that thermal priming will not be sufficient to protect most coral reefs from MHWs in the future, without substantial efforts to mitigate climate change.

A draft genome assembly of the reef-building coral Acropora hemprichii from the central Red Sea

Coral reef ecosystems are under threat from climate change. Thus, active interventions to spur coral conservation/restoration are critical to support reef survival, greatly informed by a molecular understanding of resilience. The genus Acropora is a species-rich and globally prevalent reef builder that has experienced dramatic declines in the Caribbean. Here we generated a draft genome of the common coral Acropora hemprichii from the central Red Sea, one of the warmest water bodies in the world. We assembled the genome using 10x Chromium sequencing with subsequent scaffolding using a reference genome and Illumina short-read sequencing contigs. The A. hemprichii genome has an assembly size of 495.6 Mb confirmed using physical size estimation, of which 247.8 Mb (50%) are repeats. The scaffold N50 is 1.38 Mb with 99.6% of BUSCO genes identified (93.7% complete, 5.9% fragmented), providing a set of 26,865 protein-coding genes. The Red Sea A. hemprichii reference genome provides a valuable resource for studies aiming to decode the genomic architecture of resilience, e.g. through comparative analyses with other Acropora genomes.

Long-term study of the combined effects of ocean acidification and warming on the mottled brittle star, Ophionereis fasciata

The global ocean is rapidly changing, posing a substantial threat to the viability of marine populations due to the co-occurrence of multiple drivers, such as ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA). To persist, marine species must undergo some combination of acclimation and adaptation in response to these changes. Understanding such responses is essential to measure and project the magnitude and direction of current and future vulnerabilities in marine ecosystems. Echinoderms have been recognised as a model in studies of OW-OA effects on marine biota. However, despite their global diversity, vulnerability and ecological importance in most marine habitats, brittle stars (ophiuroids) are poorly studied. A long-term mesocosm experiment was conducted on adult mottled brittle star (Ophionereis fasciata) as a case study to investigate the physiological response and trade-offs of marine organisms to ocean acidification, ocean warming and the combined effect of these two drivers. Long-term exposure of O. fasciata to high temperature and low pH affected survival, respiration and regeneration rates, growth rate, calcification/dissolution and righting response. Higher temperatures increased stress and respiration, and decreased regeneration and growth rates as well as survival. Conversely, changes in pH had more subtle or no effect, affecting only respiration and calcification. Our results indicate that exposure to a combination of high temperature and low pH produces complex responses for respiration, righting response and calcification. We address the knowledge gap of the impact of a changing ocean on ophiuroids in the context of echinoderm studies, proposing this class as an ideal alternative echinoderm for future research.

Elucidating maternal provisioning for bivalve larvae under ocean acidity extreme events

Ocean acidity extreme (OAX) events, triggered by climate change and anthropogenic activities, are projected to become more intense and frequent in coastal ecosystems, devastating marine bivalves and ecosystems they support. Maternal effects adaptively modulate offspring performance in response to climatic stressors, but whether and to what extent they can confer offspring resistance to OAX remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated impacts of OAX on the parental and larval lipidomes of Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) to add further insights into the energetic nature of maternal effects. A total of 177 significantly down-regulated lipid components (categorized into glycerolipids mainly) were shown in OAX-stressed adults compared with those reared under ambient conditions, and following parental conditioning, larvae also exhibited a further decreasing down-regulation of the glycerolipid components. Triacylglycerols were identified as the predominant composition of glycerolipids and the primary sources of energy for gonadal maturation and larvae development. Yet, larvae spawn from adults exposed to OAX had significantly lower contents of triacylglycerols than those without a prior history of parental conditioning, with the carbon chain length and unsaturation degree of the triacylglycerol components being significantly affected. The latter was also in line with significant increases in the production of triacylglycerol byproducts (diacylglycerols). Overall, our findings suggest that when OAX prevailed during reproductive seasons of Manila clams, maternal effects could be maladaptive by depressing the energetic deposition of larvae, and may not be a potential adaptive modulator of marine bivalves to cope with unprecedented environmental change.

Ocean acidification may alleviate the toxicity of zinc to the macroalga, Ulva lactuca

We investigated the toxic effects of different zinc (Zn) concentrations (natural seawater, 25 μg/L, and 100 μg/L) under two CO2 concentrations (410 ppmv, and 1000 ppmv) on Ulva lactuca. A significant decrease in the relative growth rate of U. lactuca was observed with an increase in Zn concentration under the low CO2 treatment condition, and we observed a notable decrease at 100 μg/L Zn under the high CO2 treatment condition. Moreover, the net photosynthetic rate increased when thalli were cultured under 25 and 100 μg/L Zn under the high CO2 treatment condition. The concentrations of chlorophyll a and b were significantly increased under 100 μg/L Zn and the high CO2 treatment conditions. Malondialdehyde content decreased under high CO2 treatment conditions, compared with the low CO2 treatment conditions, regardless of the Zn concentration. These findings suggest that ocean acidification may alleviate the toxic effects of Zn pollution on U. lactuca.

Physiological resilience of intertidal chitons in a persistent upwelling coastal region

Current climate projections for mid-latitude regions globally indicate an intensification of wind-driven coastal upwelling due to warming conditions. The dynamics of mid-latitude coastal upwelling are marked by environmental variability across temporal scales, which affect key physiological processes in marine calcifying organisms and can impact their large-scale distribution patterns. In this context, marine invertebrates often exhibit phenotypic plasticity, enabling them to adapt to environmental change. In this study, we examined the physiological performance (i.e., metabolism, Thermal Performance Curves, and biomass and calcification rates) of individuals of the intertidal mollusk Chiton granosus, a chiton found from northern Peru to Cape Horn (5° to 55°S). Our spatial study design indicated a pattern of contrasting conditions among locations. The Talcaruca site, characterized by persistent upwelling and serving as a biogeographic break, exhibited lower pH and carbonate saturation states, along with higher pCO2, compared to the sites located to the north and south of this location (Huasco and Los Molles, respectively). In agreement with the spatial pattern in carbonate system parameters, long-term temperature records showed lower temperatures that changed faster over synoptic scales (1-15 days) at Talcaruca, in contrast to the more stable conditions at the sites outside the break. Physiological performance traits from individuals from the Talcaruca population exhibited higher values and more significant variability, along with significantly broader and greater warming tolerance than chitons from the Huasco and Los Molles populations. Moreover, marked changes in local abundance patterns over three years suggested population-level responses to the challenging environmental conditions at the biogeographic break. Thus, C. granosus from the Talcaruca upwelling zone represents a local population with wide tolerance ranges that may be capable of withstanding future upwelling intensification on the Southern Eastern Pacific coast and likely serving as a source of propagules for less adapted populations.

Does climate change increase the risk of marine toxins? Insights from changing seawater conditions

Marine toxins produced by marine organisms threaten human health and impose a heavy public health burden on coastal countries. Lately, there has been an emergence of marine toxins in regions that were previously unaffected, and it is believed that climate change may be a significant factor. This paper systematically summarizes the impact of climate change on the risk of marine toxins in terms of changes in seawater conditions. From our findings, climate change can cause ocean warming, acidification, stratification, and sea-level rise. These climatic events can alter the surface temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrient conditions of seawater, which may promote the growth of various algae and bacteria, facilitating the production of marine toxins. On the other hand, climate change may expand the living ranges of marine organisms (such as algae, bacteria, and fish), thereby exacerbating the production and spread of marine toxins. In addition, the sources, distribution, and toxicity of ciguatoxin, tetrodotoxin, cyclic imines, and microcystin were described to improve public awareness of these emerging marine toxins. Looking ahead, developing interdisciplinary cooperation, strengthening monitoring of emerging marine toxins, and exploring more novel approaches are essential to better address the risks of marine toxins posed by climate change. Altogether, the interrelationships between climate, marine ecology, and marine toxins were analyzed in this study, providing a theoretical basis for preventing and managing future health risks from marine toxins.

Effects of Ocean Acidification and Temperature Coupling on Photosynthetic Activity and Physiological Properties of Ulva fasciata and Sargassum horneri

To investigate the ecological impacts of macroalgae in the framework of shifting global CO2 concentrations, we conducted a study utilizing Ulva fasciata and Sargassum horneri specimens sourced from the Ma'an Archipelago in Zhejiang Province on how ocean acidification (OA) and temperature changes interact to affect the photosynthetic physiological responses of macroalgae. The results of the study showed that OA reduced the tolerance of U. fasciata to bright light at 20 °C, resulting in more pronounced photoinhibition, while 15 °C caused significant inhibition of U. fasciata, reducing its growth and photosynthetic activity, but OA alleviated the inhibition and promoted the growth of the alga to a certain extent. The tolerance of S. horneri to bright light was also reduced at 20 °C; the inhibition was relieved at 15 °C, and the OA further improved the algal growth. The Relative Growth Rate (RGR), photosynthetic pigment content, and the release of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of U. fasciata were mainly affected by the change in temperature; the growth of the alga and the synthesis of metabolites were more favored by 20 °C. A similar temperature dependence was observed for S. horneri, with faster growth and high metabolism at 15 °C. Our results suggest that OA reduces the tolerance of macroalgae to high light at suitable growth temperatures; however, at unsuitable growth temperatures, OA effectively mitigates this inhibitory effect and promotes algal growth.

Modeling green energy and innovation for ecological risk management using second generation dynamic quantile panel data model

Ecological risk management has emerged as a critical research and policy development area in energy and environmental economics. Sustained ecology is crucial for the standard of living and food security. As the adverse impacts of environmental degradation and climate change become increasingly apparent it is imperative to understand ecological risk and its interconnectedness with environmental pressure, clean energy, economic activity, globalization, and green technology. Ecological risk is assessed using the environmental performance index which is a holistic indicator of climate change, environmental pressures and human actions in which most of these indicators have spatial effects. This paper explores the multifaceted relationship between identified anthropogenic critical factors and their role in effectively managing ecological risk globally. This study has developed the second-generation dynamic panel quantile regression considering spatial effects of economic activities on ecology across borders of 55 countries between 1995 and 2022. This innovative hybrid estimation scheme that integrated theoretical and econometric aspects makes the model robust to major regression issues. Several implications ranked in decreasing order of its effectiveness are reducing environmental pressure, expediting energy transition, and embracing economic integration while there is a need to work on rejuvenating green technology and green growth.

Immobilization of Silver(I) Ions on Amino-Functionalized Chromium(III) Terephthalate with Organophosphine and its C-H Carboxylation of a Heteroaromatic Compound

A newly designed heterogenized catalyst that incorporates silver(I) ions with 2-(dicyclohexylphosphaneyl)acetaldehyde (PCy2 aldehyde) into amino-functionalized chromium(III) terephthalate is developed. Silver(I) ions were robustly immobilized on the amino-functionalized chromium(III) terephthalate, which contains an imine bond formed by the reaction with PCy2 aldehyde. The Ag(I) ion is coordinated with the phosphine in the imine group to create MIL-101-AP(Ag). Characterizations were carefully carried out according to the synthetic steps. The catalytic performance of MIL-101-AP(Ag) was evaluated through the C-H carboxylation of thiophene-2-carbonitrile, achieving a 10 % yield with a turnover number of 1.0. The recyclability of the MIL-101-AP(Ag) catalyst was successfully demonstrated with five cycle, with no loss in activity and selectivity observed. This approach, which involves the formation of an imine bond to facilitate silver loading with phosphine on amino-functionalized MIL-101(Cr), exhibits significant potential for both CO2 fixation and C-H carboxylation, thereby highlighting the modified material's promise as a sustainable catalyst.

The multistressor effect of pH reduction, microplastic and lanthanum on sea urchin Arbacia lixula

pH reduction (Low pH), microplastic (MP), and lanthanum (La) are substantial stressors due to their increasing trends in marine ecosystems and having adverse effects on marine species. This study investigates the single and combined effects of those stressors (Low pH: 7.45, polyethylene MP: 26 μg L-1, and La: 9 μg L-1) on the physiology and histology of sea urchin Arbacia lixula. Regarding physiological results, while the coelomocytes' quantity was slightly affected by stressors, their viability was significantly affected. The coelomocyte count and viability were suppressed most in Low pH-MP-La treatment. The stressors did not impact the respiration rate. According to the histological examination results, the crypt (villi-like structure) was shorter, and epithelial layers were thinner in single and dual stress treatments like MP, Low pH, Low pH-La, and MP-La. Overall, we suggest that the combination of variable types of those stressors causes negative effects on sea urchin's physiology and histology.

Novel oceanic cyanobacterium isolated from Bangaram island with profound acid neutralizing ability is proposed as Leptolyngbya iicbica sp. nov. strain LK

An acid-neutralizing, filamentous, non-heterocytous, marine cyanobacterium named 'LK' has been isolated from the seashore of Bangaram Island, an atoll of Lakshadweep, India, and is described here as a novel species. LK has been characterized using morphological, ecological, and genomic features. Based on 16S rRNA, whole-genome sequencing, and marker gene-based analysis, LK has been identified as a new species. LK clustered with Leptolyngbya-like strains belonging to the LPP group but diverged from Leptolyngbya sensu stricto, indicating the polyphyletic nature of the Leptolyngbya genus. Leptolyngbya sp. SIOISBB and Halomicronema sp. CCY15110 were identified as LK's two closest phylogenetic neighbors in various phylogenetic studies. The analysis of 16S rRNA, ITS secondary structures, and genome relatedness indices such as AAI, ANI, and gANI strongly support LK as a novel species of the Leptolyngbya genus. The mechanism behind acid neutralization in LK has been delineated, attributing it to a surface phenomenon most likely due to the presence of salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. We name LK as Leptolyngbya iicbica strain LK which is a novel species with prominent acidic pH-neutralizing properties.

Harmful Ostreopsis cf. ovata blooms could extend in time span with climate change in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Fast environmental changes and high coastal human pressures and impacts threaten the Mediterranean Sea. Over the last decade, recurrent blooms of the harmful dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata have been recorded in many Mediterranean beaches. These microalgae produce toxins that affect marine organisms and human health. Understanding the environmental conditions that influence the appearance and magnitude of O. cf. ovata blooms, as well as how climate change will modify its future distribution and dynamics, is crucial for predicting and managing their effects. This study investigates whether the spatio-temporal distribution of this microalga and the frequency of its blooms could be altered in future climate change scenarios in the Mediterranean Western basin. For the first time, an ecological habitat model (EHM) is forced by physico-chemical climate change simulations at high-resolution, under the strong greenhouse gas emission trajectory (RCP8.5). It allows to characterize how O. cf. ovata may respond to projected conditions and how its distribution could shift over a wide spatial scale, in this plausible future. Before being applied to the EHM, future climate simulations are further refined by using a statistical adaptation method (Cumulative Distribution Function transform) to improve the predictions robustness. Temperature (optimum 23-26 °C), high salinity (>38 psu) and high inorganic nutrient concentrations (nitrate >0.25 mmol N·m-3 and phosphate >0.035 mmol P·m-3) drive O. cf. ovata abundances. High spatial disparities in future abundances are observed. Namely, O. cf. ovata abundances could increase on the Mediterranean coasts of France, Spain and the Adriatic Sea while a decrease is expected in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The bloom period could be extended, starting earlier and continuing later in the year. From a methodological point of view, this study highlights best practices of EHMs in the context of climate change to identify sensitive areas for current and future harmful algal blooms.

Coral species-specific loss and physiological legacy effects are elicited by an extended marine heatwave

Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, with potentially catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. An extended heatwave and recovery time-series that incorporates multiple stressors and is environmentally realistic can provide enhanced predictive capacity for performance under climate change conditions. We exposed common reef-building corals in Hawai'i, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta, to a 2-month period of high temperature and high PCO2 conditions or ambient conditions in a factorial design, followed by 2 months of ambient conditions. High temperature, rather than high PCO2, drove multivariate physiology shifts through time in both species, including decreases in respiration rates and endosymbiont densities. Pocillopora acuta exhibited more significantly negatively altered physiology, and substantially higher bleaching and mortality than M. capitata. The sensitivity of P. acuta appears to be driven by higher baseline rates of photosynthesis paired with lower host antioxidant capacity, creating an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Thermal tolerance of M. capitata may be partly due to harboring a mixture of Cladocopium and Durusdinium spp., whereas P. acuta was dominated by other distinct Cladocopium spp. Only M. capitata survived the experiment, but physiological state in heatwave-exposed M. capitata remained significantly diverged at the end of recovery relative to individuals that experienced ambient conditions. In future climate scenarios, particularly marine heatwaves, our results indicate a species-specific loss of corals that is driven by baseline host and symbiont physiological differences as well as Symbiodiniaceae community compositions, with the surviving species experiencing physiological legacies that are likely to influence future stress responses.

Transcriptomic insights into cessation of clam embryonic development following transgenerational exposure to ocean acidity extreme

Ocean acidity extremes (OAX) events are becoming more frequent and intense in coastal areas in the context of climate change, generating widespread consequences on marine calcifying organisms and ecosystems they support. While transgenerational exposure to end-of-century scenario of ocean acidification (i.e., at pH 7.7) can confer calcifiers resilience, whether and to what extent such resilience holds true under OAX conditions is still poorly understood. Here, we found that transgenerational exposure of Ruditapes philippinarum to OAX resulted in cessation of embryonic development at the trochophore stage, implying devastating consequences of OAX on marine bivalves. We identified a large number of differentially expressed genes in embryos following transgenerationally exposed to OAX, which were mainly significantly enriched in KEGG pathways related to energy metabolism, immunity and apoptosis. These pathways were significantly activated, and genes involved in these processes were up-regulated, indicating strong cellular stress responses to OAX. These findings demonstrate that transgenerational exposure to OAX can result in embryonic developmental cessation by severe cellular damages, implying that transgenerational acclimation maybe not a panacea for marine bivalves to cope with OAX, and hence urgent efforts are required to understand consequences of intensifying OAX events in coastal ecosystems.

Modulations of ocean-atmosphere interactions on squid abundance over Southwest Atlantic

Anthropogenic shifts in seas are reshaping fishing trends, with significant implications for aquatic food sources throughout this century. Examining a 21-year abundance dataset of Argentine shortfin squids Illex argentinus paired with a regional oceanic analysis, we noted strong correlations between squid annual abundance and sea surface temperature (SST) in January and February and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) from March to May in the Southwest Atlantic. A deeper analysis revealed combined ocean-atmosphere interactions, pinpointed as the primary mode in a rotated empirical orthogonal function analysis of SST. This pattern produced colder SST and amplified EKE in the surrounding seas, factors crucial for the unique life stages of squids. Future projections from the CMIP6 archive indicated that this ocean-atmosphere pattern, referred to as the Atlantic symmetric pattern, would persist in its cold SST phase, promoting increased squid abundance. However, rising SSTs due to global warming might counteract the abundance gains. Our findings uncover a previously unrecognized link between squids and specific environmental conditions governed by broader ocean-atmosphere interactions in the Southwest Atlantic. Integrating these insights with seasonal and decadal projections can offer invaluable information to stakeholders in squid fisheries and marine conservation under a changing climate.

Projected habitat preferences of commercial fish under different scenarios of climate change

The challenges of commercial species with the threats of climate change make it necessary to predict the changes in the distributional shifts and habitat preferences of the species under possible future scenarios. We aim to demonstrate how future climatic changes will affect the habitat suitability of three species of commercial fish using the predictive technique MaxEnt. The dataset used to extract geographical records included OBIS (54%), GBIF (1%), and literature (45%). The output of the model indicated accurate projections of MaxEnt (AUC above 0.9). Temperature was the main descriptor responsible for the main effects on the distribution of commercial fish. With increasing RCP from 2.5 to 8.5, the species would prefer saltier, higher temperatures and deeper waters in the future. We observed different percentages of suitable habitats between species during RCPs showing distinct sensitivity of each fish in facing climate changes. Negative effects from climate change on the distribution patterns of commercial fish were predicted to lead to varying degrees of reduction and changes of suitable habitats and movement of species towards higher latitudes. The finding emphasizes to implement adaptive management measures to preserve the stocks of these commercial fish considering that the intensification of the effects of climate change on subtropical areas and overexploited species is predicted.

Feather's Composition of South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) Using WDXRF

This study investigated the feathers' composition of South polar skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) using WDXRF, evaluating the concentration of essential and non-essential elements in the feathers, and dividing it into rachis and barb parts. We collected South polar skuas feathers from Hennequin Point, King George Island, South Shetland, Antarctic Peninsula in January of 2013. Our results show that 18 elements were observed in the composition of the feathers, with a different concentration between the rachis and barbs, qualitatively and quantitatively. Only 3 elements observed were classified as non-essentials but still mostly elements do not have a function described in the literature to the feathers. According to our knowledge, this is the first study that uses this technique to evaluate the concentration of different elements in the feathers. The findings of this study highlight the use of alternative techniques to biomonitoring elements in the ecosystem and bring baseline information for future studies.

Differential intestinal effects of water and foodborne exposures of nano-TiO2 in the mussel Mytilus coruscus under elevated temperature

With the wide use of nanomaterials in daily life, nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) presents potential ecological risks to marine ecosystems, which can be exacerbated by ocean warming (OW). However, most previous studies have only centered around waterborne exposure, while there is a scarcity of studies concentrating on the impact of trophic transfer exposure on organisms. We investigated the differences in toxic effects of 100 μg/L nano-TiO2 on mussels via two pathways (waterborne and foodborne) under normal (24 °C) and warming (28 °C) conditions. Single nano-TiO2 exposure (waterborne and foodborne) elevated the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as the content of glutathione (GSH), indicating activated antioxidatant response in the intestine. However, depressed antioxidant enzymes and accumulated peroxide products (LPO and protein carbonyl content, PCC) demonstrated that warming in combination with nano-TiO2 broke the prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis of mussels. Our findings also indicated that nano-TiO2 and high temperature exhibited adverse impacts on amylase (AMS), trypsin (PS), and trehalase (THL). Additionally, activated immune function (lysozyme) comes at the cost of energy expenditure of protein (decreased protein concentration). The hydrodynamic diameter of nano-TiO2 at 24 °C (1693-2261 nm) was lower than that at 28 °C (2666-3086 nm). Bioaccumulation results (range from 0.022 to 0.432 μg/g) suggested that foodborne induced higher Ti contents in intestine than waterborne. In general, the combined effects of nano-TiO2 and warming demonstrated a more pronounced extent of interactive effects and severe damage to antioxidant, digestive, and immune parameters in mussel intestine. The toxicological impact of nano-TiO2 was intensified through trophic transfer. The toxic effects of nano-TiO2 are non-negligible and can be exerted together through both water- and foodborne exposure routes, which deserves further investigation.

Spatial and ontogenetic modulation of fatty acid composition in juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from two French estuaries

This study evaluated how estuary of origin and ontogenetic stage influence the fatty acid (FA) composition in the tissues of wild European sea bass juvenile. We evidenced tissue-specific patterns, with the brain exhibiting a distinct FA composition from the liver and muscle. Ontogenetic stage and estuary influenced the general FA profile, and particularly the essential FA (EFA) like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) in all tissues. The data also revealed the ability of wild sea bass to modulate, at the molecular level, FA biosynthesis pathways and suggest a potential dietary DHA limitation in the natural environment. The distribution of FA within tissues might reflect shifts in diet, metabolic demands, or adaptations to environmental conditions. This study provides insights about FA dynamics in euryhaline fish during juvenile life stage, improving our understanding of the metabolism need and EFA trophic availability in a changing environment.

Hidden impacts of ocean warming and acidification on biological responses of marine animals revealed through meta-analysis

Conflicting results remain on the impacts of climate change on marine organisms, hindering our capacity to predict the future state of marine ecosystems. To account for species-specific responses and for the ambiguous relation of most metrics to fitness, we develop a meta-analytical approach based on the deviation of responses from reference values (absolute change) to complement meta-analyses of directional (relative) changes in responses. Using this approach, we evaluate responses of fish and invertebrates to warming and acidification. We find that climate drivers induce directional changes in calcification, survival, and metabolism, and significant deviations in twice as many biological responses, including physiology, reproduction, behavior, and development. Widespread deviations of responses are detected even under moderate intensity levels of warming and acidification, while directional changes are mostly limited to more severe intensity levels. Because such deviations may result in ecological shifts impacting ecosystem structures and processes, our results suggest that climate change will likely have stronger impacts than those previously predicted based on directional changes alone.

Divergent morphological and microbiome strategies of two neighbor sponges to cope with low pH in Mediterranean CO2 vents

Ocean Acidification (OA) profoundly impacts marine biochemistry, resulting in a net loss of biodiversity. Porifera are often forecasted as winner taxa, yet the strategies to cope with OA can vary and may generate diverse fitness status. In this study, microbial shifts based on the V3-V4 16S rRNA gene marker were compared across neighboring Chondrosia reniformis sponges with high microbial abundance (HMA), and Spirastrella cunctatrix with low microbial abundance (LMA) microbiomes. Sponge holobionts co-occurred in a CO2 vent system with low pH (pHT ~ 7.65), and a control site with Ambient pH (pHT ~ 8.05) off Ischia Island, representing natural analogues to study future OA, and species' responses in the face of global environmental change. Microbial diversity and composition varied in both species across sites, yet at different levels. Increased numbers of core taxa were detected in S. cunctatrix, and a more diverse and flexible core microbiome was reported in C. reniformis under OA. Vent S. cunctatrix showed morphological impairment, along with signs of putative stress-induced dysbiosis, manifested by: 1) increases in alpha diversity, 2) shifts from sponge related microbes towards seawater microbes, and 3) high dysbiosis scores. Chondrosia reniformis in lieu, showed no morphological variation, low dysbiosis scores, and experienced a reduction in alpha diversity and less number of core taxa in vent specimens. Therefore, C. reniformis is hypothesized to maintain an state of normobiosis and acclimatize to OA, thanks to a more diverse, and likely metabolically versatile microbiome. A consortium of differentially abundant microbes was identified associated to either vent or control sponges, and chiefly related to carbon, nitrogen and sulfur-metabolisms for nutrient cycling and vitamin production, as well as probiotic symbionts in C. reniformis. Diversified symbiont associates supporting functional convergence could be the key behind resilience towards OA, yet specific acclimatization traits should be further investigated.

Contrasting patterns in pH variability in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Continuous understanding of the ongoing ocean acidification (OA) is essential for predicting the future impact of OA on marine ecosystems. Here we report the results of open ocean time-series measurements (19 cruises) of seawater pH in total hydrogen ion scale (pHT) and associated parameters in the Arabian Sea (AS) and the Bay of Bengal (BoB). During southwest monsoon (SWM), the pHT within the 30 to 100 m water column shows the maximum difference between the two basins with BoB pHT being lower (up to ~0.39 units) than AS which could be due to freshwater influx from rivers, mixed layer dynamics, and cold-core eddies. However, during Spring inter-monsoon (SIM), the pHT of BoB follows the trend of AS. A contrasting finding is that the lowest pHT occurs at 350 to 500 m in the BoB while it is ~1000 m in the AS. The pHT within the 150 to 1500 m layer of these two basins shows lower values by 0.03 (±0.02) in the BoB as compared to the AS. The possible reasons for the low pHT within the BoB oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) could be due to intrusion of western Pacific water in the BoB, freshwater influx from rivers, variations in OMZ of the two basins, higher temperature (~2°C) within the OMZ of the AS, and denitrification in the AS. The pHT in both the basins (500 to 1000 m) is lower than in the North Atlantic and higher than in the North Pacific waters; however, the pHT in the 200 to 500 m is lower in the BoB than in all these basins. This study highlights the under-saturation of calcium carbonate at very shallow depths (~ 100 m) in the BoB, indicating that the plankton in the BoB are facing a major risk from OA compared to the AS and need further investigation.

Strong p-d Orbital Hybridization on Bismuth Nanosheets for High Performing CO2 Electroreduction

Single-atom alloys (SAAs) show great potential for a variety of electrocatalytic reactions. However, the atomic orbital hybridization effect of SAAs on the electrochemical reactions is unclear yet. Herein, the in situ confinement of vanadium/molybdenum/tungsten atoms on bismuth nanosheet is shown to create SAAs with rich grain boundaries, respectively. With the detailed analysis of microstructure and composition, the strong p-d orbital hybridization between bismuth and vanadium enables the exceptional electrocatalytic performance for carbon dioxide (CO2 ) reduction with the Faradaic efficiency nearly 100% for C1 products in a wide potential range from -0.6 to -1.4 V, and a long-term electrolysis stability for 90 h. In-depth in situ investigations with theoretical computations reveal that the electron delocalization toward vanadium atoms via the p-d orbital hybridization evokes the bismuth active centers for efficient CO2 activation via the σ-donation of O-to-Bi, thus reduces protonation energy barriers for formate production. With such fundamental understanding, SAA electrocatalyst is employed to fabricated the solar-driven electrolytic cell of CO2 reduction and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation, achieving an outstanding 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid yield of 90.5%. This study demonstrates a feasible strategy to rationally design advanced SAA electrocatalysts via the basic principles of p-d orbital hybridization.

Effects of acidification on the biogeochemistry of unvegetated and seagrass marine sediments

Many studies addressed ocean acidification (OA) effects on marine life, whereas its effects on sedimentary organic matter (OM) have received less attention. We investigated differences in OM features in sediments from unvegetated and seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) beds in a shallow hydrothermal area (Aeolian Archipelago, Mediterranean Sea), under natural (8.1-8.0) and acidified (7.8-7.9) conditions. We show that a pH difference of -0.3 units have minor effects on OM features in unvegetated sediments, but relevant consequences within acidified seagrass meadows, where OM quantity and nutritional quality are lower than those under natural pH conditions. Effects of acidified conditions on OM biogeochemistry vary between unvegetated and seagrass sediments, with lower C degradation rates and longer C turnover time in the former than in the latter. We conclude that OA, although with effects not consistent between unvegetated and vegetated sediments, can affect OM quantity, composition, and degradation, thus having possible far-reaching consequences for benthic trophic webs.

Impacts of ocean acidification and warming on the release and activity of the barnacle waterborne settlement pheromone, adenosine

The effects of ocean acidification (OA) and warming on the physiological processes of many marine species have been well documented. However, far less is known about the impacts of these global variables on chemical communication. In this study, we identified the barnacle waterborne settlement pheromone (BWSP) of Balanus albicostatus as adenosine (Ado). Our results showed that neither elevated temperature (30 °C vs. ambient 26 °C) nor elevated pCO2 (1000 μatm vs. ambient 400 μatm) significantly affected the release of Ado from B. albicostatus adults. Exposure to elevated temperature and OA did not impair larval cue perception for settlement in B. albicostatus; however, OA inhibited settlement under elevated temperature in the absence/presence of BWSP, and elevated temperature induced larval settlement only in the presence of BWSP under ambient pCO2 condition. These results provided important insights into barnacle aggregation behavior in changing oceans and may help to predict the consequences of climate change on barnacle populations.

From reproductive behaviour to responses to predators: Ocean acidification does not impact the behaviour of an herbivorous marine gastropod

Ocean acidification (OA), which reduces ocean pH and leads to substantial changes in seawater carbonate chemistry, may strongly impact organisms, especially those with carbonate skeletons. In marine molluscs, while the physiological effects of OA are well known, with a reduction of growth and shell calcification, there are few studies on behavioural effects. A large marine gastropod, Haliotis tuberculata, was exposed to ambient (pHT 8.0) or low pH (pHT 7.7) during a 5-month experiment. Because animal fitness can be affected through various behavioural changes, a broad spectrum of behavioural parameters was investigated, including situations involving no stress, responses to predators, righting to evaluate indirectly the level of energy reserves, and finally, reproductive behaviour. In addition, we measured the expression profile of the GABA A-like and serotonin receptor genes, often described as central neuromodulators of sensory performance and behaviour and known to be affected by OA in molluscs. No significant effect of low pH as compared to ambient pH was observed on abalone behaviour for any of these behavioural traits or gene expressions after either one week or several months of exposure to OA. The significance tests were corroborated by estimating the size of pH effects. The behaviour of this mollusc appears not to be affected by pH decrease expected by the end of the century, suggesting some resilience of the species to OA at the adult stage. This is probably related to the ecological niche of this abalone, where important pH variations can be observed at tidal, diurnal or seasonal scales.

Interactive effects of ocean deoxygenation and acidification on a coastal fish Sillago japonica in early life stages

Acidification and deoxygenation are major threats to ocean environments. Despite the possibilities of their co-occurrence, little is known about their interactive effects on marine organisms. The effects of low pH and low dissolved oxygen (DO) on the early life stages of the coastal fish Sillago japonica were investigated. Twenty-five experimental treatments fully crossed in five levels of pH 7.6-8.1 and DO 50-230 μmol/kg (20-100 % saturation degree) were tested, and hatching rate of the embryos and survivability of the larvae after 24 h at 25 °C were investigated. Low DO treatment significantly affected the embryos and larvae compared to low pH treatment. The 50 % lethal concentration of DO showed the highest value at pH 7.6 and the lowest value at pH 7.7 and 7.9 for embryos and larvae, respectively. Therefore, effects of deoxygenation on fishes were alleviated under acidified condition around pH 7.7-7.9.

Functional changes across marine habitats due to ocean acidification

Global environmental change drives diversity loss and shifts in community structure. A key challenge is to better understand the impacts on ecosystem function and to connect species and trait diversity of assemblages with ecosystem properties that are in turn linked to ecosystem functioning. Here we quantify shifts in species composition and trait diversity associated with ocean acidification (OA) by using field measurements at marine CO2 vent systems spanning four reef habitats across different depths in a temperate coastal ecosystem. We find that both species and trait diversity decreased, and that ecosystem properties (understood as the interplay between species, traits, and ecosystem function) shifted with acidification. Furthermore, shifts in trait categories such as autotrophs, filter feeders, herbivores, and habitat-forming species were habitat-specific, indicating that OA may produce divergent responses across habitats and depths. Combined, these findings reveal the importance of connecting species and trait diversity of marine benthic habitats with key ecosystem properties to anticipate the impacts of global environmental change. Our results also generate new insights on the predicted general and habitat-specific ecological consequences of OA.

Transport and Energetics of Carbon Dioxide in Ionic Liquids at Aqueous Interfaces

A major hurdle in utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) lies in separating it from industrial flue gas mixtures and finding suitable storage methods that enable its application in various industries. To address this issue, we utilized a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and experiments to investigate the behavior of CO2 in common room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) when in contact with aqueous interfaces. Our investigation of RTILs, [EMIM][TFSI] and [OMIM][TFSI], and their interaction with a pure water layer mimics the environment of a previously developed ultrathin enzymatic liquid membrane for CO2 separation. We analyzed diffusion constants and viscosity, which reveals that CO2 molecules exhibit faster mobility within the selected ILs compared to what would be predicted solely based on the viscosity of the liquids using the standard Einstein-Stokes relation. Moreover, we calculated the free energy of translocation for various species across the aqueous-IL interface, including CO2 and HCO3-. Free energy profiles demonstrate that CO2 exhibits a more favorable partitioning behavior in the RTILs compared to that in pure water, while a significant barrier hinders the movement of HCO3- from the aqueous layer. Experimental measurement of the CO2 transport in the RTILs corroborates the model. These findings strongly suggest that hydrophobic RTILs could serve as a promising option for selectively transporting CO2 from aqueous media and concentrating it as a preliminary step toward storage.

Parentage influence on gene expression under acidification revealed through single-embryo sequencing

The dissolution of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2 ) in seawater has altered its carbonate chemistry in the process of ocean acidification (OA). OA affects the viability of marine species. In particular, calcifying organisms and their early planktonic larval stages are considered vulnerable. These organisms often utilize energy reserves for metabolism rather than growth and calcification as supported by bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments. Yet, transcriptomic profiling of a bulk sample reflects the average gene expression of the population, neglecting the variations between individuals, which forms the basis for natural selection. Here, we used single-embryo RNA-seq on larval sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina, which is a commercially and ecologically valuable species in East Asia, to document gene expression changes to OA at an individual and family level. Three paternal half-sibs groups were fertilized and exposed to 3 pH conditions (ambient pH 8.0, 7.7 and 7.4) for 12 h prior to sequencing and oxygen consumption assay. The resulting transcriptomic profile of all embryos can be distinguished into four clusters, with differences in gene expressions that govern biomineralization, cell differentiation and patterning, as well as metabolism. While these responses were influenced by pH conditions, the male identities also had an effect. Specifically, a regression model and goodness of fit tests indicated a significant interaction between sire and pH on the probability of embryo membership in different clusters of gene expression. The single-embryo RNA-seq approach is promising in climate stressor research because not only does it highlight potential impacts before phenotypic changes were observed, but it also highlights variations between individuals and lineages, thus enabling a better determination of evolutionary potential.

Impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on aquatic ecosystem - A review

All living things depend on their natural environment, either directly or indirectly, for their high quality of life, growth, nutrition, and development. Due to the fast emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), the Earth's climate system is being negatively impacted by global warming. Stresses caused by climate change, such as rising and hotter seas, increased droughts and floods, and acrid waters, threaten the world's most populated areas and aquatic ecosystems. As a result, the aquatic ecosystems of the globe are quickly reaching hazardous conditions. Marine ecosystems are essential parts of the world's environment and provide several benefits to the human population, such as water for drinking and irrigation, leisure activities, and habitat for commercially significant fisheries. Although local human activities have influenced coastal zones for millennia, it is still unclear how these impacts and stresses from climate change may combine to endanger coastal ecosystems. Recent studies have shown that rising levels of greenhouse gases are causing ocean systems to experience conditions not seen in several million years, which may cause profound and irreversible ecological shifts. Ocean productivity has declined, food web dynamics have changed, habitat-forming species are less common, species ranges have changed, and disease prevalence has increased due to human climate change. We provide an outline of the interaction between global warming and the influence of humans along the coastline. This review aims to demonstrate the significance of long-term monitoring, the creation of ecological indicators, and the applications of understanding how aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning respond to global warming. This review discusses the effects of current climate change on marine biological processes both now and in the future, describes present climate change concerning historical change, and considers the potential roles aquatic systems could play in mitigating the effects of global climate change.