Ocean acidification and its potential effects on marine ecosystems

Effects of ocean acidification and warming on apoptosis and immune response in the mussel Mytilus coruscus

Ocean acidification and warming are significant stressors impacting marine ecosystems, exerting profound effects on the physiological ecology of marine organisms. We investigated the impact of ocean acidification and warming on the immune system of mussels, focusing on the regulatory mechanisms of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. The study explored the effects on the immune response ability of mussels (Mytilus coruscus) after 14 and 21 days under combined conditions of different temperatures (20 °C and 30 °C) and pH (8.1 and 7.7), as expected for the year 2100. The experimental results indicated that ocean acidification and warming have significant interactive effects on various immune parameters of M. coruscus. Specifically, ocean acidification and warming lead to an increase in ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), apoptosis, TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha), TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-beta), Caspase-8, and a decrease in IL-17 (Interleukin 17). These findings suggest that ocean acidification and warming trigger an immune inflammatory response in mussels. Regulating immune functions through apoptosis pathways may be a crucial coping mechanism in response to environmental variations, but its long-term impact on population health and sustainability remains uncertain. Our findings offer important insights into the complex interactions between bivalve immune responses and environmental stressors. This also underscores the need for further research into the adaptive capabilities of marine organisms facing the compounded challenges of ocean acidification and warming.

Ocean acidification and its regulating factors in the East China Sea off the Yangtze River estuary

This study examines the seasonal variations in carbonate system parameters in the East China Sea (ECS) off the Yangtze River estuary (YRE) and analyzes the contributions of anthropogenic CO₂ and eutrophication to acidification. Carbonate parameters data were collected during summer 2019 and combined winter 2011. During winter, acidification is primarily driven by rising atmospheric CO₂, with minimal impact from biological processes. In contrast, summer presents a different pattern: enhanced photosynthesis due to eutrophication in surface waters helps mitigate the acidification effects of atmospheric CO₂ increases, while in bottom waters, the combined pressures of atmospheric CO₂ and intensified aerobic respiration leads to more severe acidification. Notably, biological processes now contribute more to acidification than increasing atmospheric CO₂ in the bottom waters. Our projections indicate that the summer bottom waters will experience the most pronounced acidification, with average pH levels expected to decline from 8.04 to 7.82 and aragonite saturation state (Ωar) values decreasing from 2.24 to 1.38 between 2000 and 2100. Additionally, our study indicates that winter acidification trends are also concerning, with pH only slightly higher than in summer bottom waters. The buffering capacity and the DIC:TA ratio play significant roles in determining the rate of future pH and Ωar declines. The strong buffering capacity in summer surface waters mitigates the pH decline, while the low DIC:TA ratio results in a rapid drop in Ωar.

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.

Seagrass influence on mitigating ocean acidification and warming impacts on tropical calcifying macroalgae

Ocean acidification (OA) and warming pose significant threats to marine ecosystems, particularly by reducing calcium carbonate availability for marine calcifiers. Given that seagrasses can capture and store excess carbon, this study aimed to investigate whether seagrasses can mitigate the impacts of OA and elevated temperatures on three calcifying macroalgae: Mastophora rosea, Halimeda opuntia, and Mesophyllum sp. A 12-week mesocosm experiment was conducted, where the algae were cultured with and without seagrass under gradually increasing stress conditions: ambient conditions, OA alone for four weeks, OA combined with elevated (but non-stressful) temperatures (28 °C) for four weeks, and OA plus a stress-inducing temperature (31 °C) for two weeks. Results indicated that OA and warming negatively affected M. rosea, while H. opuntia was more strongly impacted by temperature alone. Mesophyllum sp. Exhibited resilience to both OA and elevated temperatures. Contrary to expectations, the presence of seagrass did not mitigate the negative effects of OA and warming on these calcifying macroalgae species.

Interplay of elasticity and flow velocity on gorgonian feeding and implications for bioinspired design

Evidence shows that gorgonians are more resistant to ocean acidification and rising temperatures than hard corals and are vital to reef health and the reestablishment of disrupted coral reef communities. Gorgonian coral's resilience and its diversity of morphology and environment make it well-suited as a model organism for bioinspired design applied to particle capture. We focus on flow near the polyps, using an updated form of the immersed boundary method to model the fluid-structure interaction of the flexible polyps and the surrounding ocean water. The inlet velocity and the polyp elasticity are simultaneously varied to gain insight into (1) how these parameters affect the emergent reconfiguration of their tentacles and (2) how the interaction of the reconfiguration and inlet velocity impacts passive particle capture. Two main behaviors are observed: a recirculation regime, in which particles recirculate in a region near the oral disk, and a unidirectional regime, in which the particles move unidirectionally through the tentacles without recirculation. Our results show that different regimes support different feeding strategies. We apply these results as bioinspired filtration, discussing how an elastic material could benefit specific engineering applications.

Environmental drivers of fish bycatch composition in small-scale shrimp trawling along the southern Brazilian coast

Small-scale shrimp trawling is crucial for the economy and culture of coastal communities worldwide, providing several ecosystem services. However, bottom trawling is well-known for its negative impacts on habitat structure and marine communities. Bycatch, or the accidental capture of non-target species during fishing, can offer valuable insights into the composition and variation of fish assemblages. This study was conducted between 2009 and 2010 and focuses on the Barra do Sul, Penha, and Porto Belo areas, which are traditionally used for artisanal shrimp fishing. We evaluated the variation in the composition of fish species caught as accompanying fauna, as well as the influence of environmental variables on the associated fish assemblages. The results indicate that differences in species composition were more pronounced spatially than temporally, suggesting that the structural characteristics and environmental filters of different study areas play a crucial role in shaping marine fish bycatch assemblages. Porto Belo showed higher abundance, biomass, and diversity, likely due to its greater substrate heterogeneity and habitat complexity, which promote higher environmental quality and species richness. The gam models used for abundance and diversity confirm the complexity of ecological interactions and highlight that depth, salinity, temperature, chlorophyll a and nutrient concentration (NO2 and PO43-) were key environmental variables in determining the abundance and diversity of fish assemblages, indicating that the response of these communities to environmental variations is influenced by a specific combination of these factors. Additionally, species from the Sciaenidae and Paralichthyidae families were identified as significant contributors to the variation in fish communities. The presence of threatened species, such as Zapteryx brevirostris and Atlantoraja cyclophora, in the bycatch is particularly concerning for conservation efforts. Finally, our findings emphasize the importance of implementing management strategies tailored to local environmental conditions and protecting endangered species to promote sustainable management of marine resources and mitigate the impacts of trawling on a global scale.

Exploring the influence of gas extraction on fisheries' footprint in the Middle East: applying spatial econometrics

The different stages of oil and gas extraction in the seabed are linked to water pollution and threaten fish reserves. This issue becomes more critical in the Middle East countries which are rich in natural resources and at the same time are facing water tensions. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the harmful impact of gas extraction on fisheries' footprint in the Middle East based on data from 1990 to 2021. In addition, as the destructive effects of gas extraction are not only limited to the extraction area but also affect the region widespread, then to examine the spreading characteristic of fishing ground footprint in the entire region of the Middle East, this study applies spatial econometrics. According to the results, local gas extraction has a considerable positive and significant effect on the home fishery's footprint. Each percent growth in local gas extraction leads to a significant increase of approximately 0.21 in the home fishing footprint index. In addition, spatial coefficients analysis reveals that a 1% growth in gas extraction in neighboring countries leads to a 4% increase in fisheries footprint inside a country. In addition, the driving force of fisheries footprint in the Middle East mainly came from gas extraction, accelerated economic development (GDP^2), and agricultural production of the country itself, as well as the urbanization, industrialization, and gas extraction of neighboring countries, respectively. Then, the catastrophe of fishing areas' demolition caused by gas extraction activities in the Middle East area is remarkable and fish conservation needs more intra- and cross-country prevention policies in the Middle East area.

Impacts of ocean acidification and hypoxia on cellular immunity, oxygen consumption and antioxidant status in Mediterranean mussel

There is growing recognition that the hypoxic regions of the ocean are also becoming more acidic due to increasing levels of global carbon dioxide emissions. The impact of water acidification on marine life is largely unknown, as most previous studies have not taken into account the effects of hypoxia, which may affect how organisms respond to low pH levels. In this study, we experimentally examined the consequences of water acidification in combination with normoxic or hypoxic conditions on cellular immune parameters in Mediterranean mussels. We measured total hemocyte counts in hemolymph, the cellular composition of hemolymph, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. General response of the organism was evaluated on the basis of the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the hepatopancreas, as well as respiratory rates over an 8-day exposure period. The mussels were exposed to low pH conditions (7.3), either under normoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen concentration of 8 mg/L) or hypoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 mg/L). The parameters were assessed at days 1, 3, 6, and 8 of the experiment. Experimental acidification under normoxic conditions reduced THC and ROS production by hemocytes during later stages of exposure, but phagocytic activity (PA) only decreased at day 3 and then recovered. Combined acidification and hypoxia suppressed PA in hemocytes at the beginning of exposure, while hemocyte ROS production and THC decreased by the end of the experiment. The hemolymph cellular composition and activity of antioxidant enzymes were unaffected by acidified conditions under different oxygen regimes, but mussel respiratory rate (RR) decreased with a more significant reduction in oxygen consumption under hypoxia. Mussels showed a relatively high tolerance to acidification in combination with various dissolved oxygen levels, although prolonged acidification exposure led to increased detrimental effects on immunity and metabolism.

Assessing the role of natural kelp forests in modifying seawater chemistry

Climate change is causing widespread impacts on seawater pH through ocean acidification (OA). Kelp forests, in some locations can buffer the effects of OA through photosynthesis. However, the factors influencing this variation remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we conducted a literature review and field deployments of pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) loggers within four habitats: intact kelp forest, moderate kelp cover, sparse kelp cover and barrens at one site in Port Phillip Bay, a wind-wave dominated coastal embayment in Victoria, Australia. Additionally, a wave logger was placed directly in front of the intact kelp forest and barrens habitats. Most studies reported that kelp increased seawater pH and DO during the day, compared to controls without kelp. This effect was more pronounced in densely populated forests, particularly in shallow, sheltered conditions. Our field study was broadly consistent with these observations, with intact kelp habitat having higher seawater pH than habitats with less kelp or barrens and higher seawater DO compared to barrens, particularly in the afternoon and during calmer wave conditions. Although kelp forests can provide local refuges to biota from OA, the benefits are variable through time and may be reduced by declines in kelp density and increased wave exposure.

Reprint: Acclimatization and Adaptive Capacity of Marine Species in a Changing Ocean

To persist in an ocean changing in temperature, pH and other stressors related to climate change, many marine species will likely need to acclimatize or adapt to avoid extinction. If marine populations possess adequate genetic variation in tolerance to climate change stressors, species might be able to adapt to environmental change. Marine climate change research is moving away from single life stage studies where individuals are directly placed into projected scenarios ('future shock' approach), to focus on the adaptive potential of populations in an ocean that will gradually change over coming decades. This review summarizes studies that consider the adaptive potential of marine invertebrates to climate change stressors and the methods that have been applied to this research, including quantitative genetics, laboratory selection studies and trans- and multigenerational experiments. Phenotypic plasticity is likely to contribute to population persistence providing time for genetic adaptation to occur. Transgenerational and epigenetic effects indicate that the environmental and physiological history of the parents can affect offspring performance. There is a need for long-term, multigenerational experiments to determine the influence of phenotypic plasticity, genetic variation and transgenerational effects on species' capacity to persist in a changing ocean. However, multigenerational studies are only practicable for short generation species. Consideration of multiple morphological and physiological traits, including changes in molecular processes (eg, DNA methylation) and long-term studies that facilitate acclimatization will be essential in making informed predictions of how the seascape and marine communities will be altered by climate change.

Nitrogen input modulates the effects of coastal acidification on nitrification and associated N2O emission

Acidification of coastal waters, synergistically driven by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and intensive land-derived nutrient inputs, exerts significant stresses on the biogeochemical cycles of coastal ecosystem. However, the combined effects of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) inputs and aquatic acidification on nitrification, a critical process of N cycling, remains unclear in estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Here, we showed that increased loading of ammonium (NH4+) in estuarine and coastal waters alleviated the inhibitory effect of acidification on nitrification rates but intensified the production of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O), thus accelerating global climate change. Metatranscriptomes and natural N2O isotopic signatures further suggested that the enhanced emission of N2O may mainly source from hydroxylamine (NH2OH) oxidation rather than from nitrite (NO2-) reduction pathway of nitrifying microbes. This study elucidates how anthropogenic N inputs regulate the effects of coastal acidification on nitrification and associated N2O emissions, thereby enhancing our ability to predict the feedbacks of estuarine and coastal ecosystems to climate change and human perturbations.

To live or let die? Epigenetic adaptations to climate change-a review

Anthropogenic activities are responsible for a wide array of environmental disturbances that threaten biodiversity. Climate change, encompassing temperature increases, ocean acidification, increased salinity, droughts, and floods caused by frequent extreme weather events, represents one of the most significant environmental alterations. These drastic challenges pose ecological constraints, with over a million species expected to disappear in the coming years. Therefore, organisms must adapt or face potential extinctions. Adaptations can occur not only through genetic changes but also through non-genetic mechanisms, which often confer faster acclimatization and wider variability ranges than their genetic counterparts. Among these non-genetic mechanisms are epigenetics defined as the study of molecules and mechanisms that can perpetuate alternative gene activity states in the context of the same DNA sequence. Epigenetics has received increased attention in the past decades, as epigenetic mechanisms are sensitive to a wide array of environmental cues, and epimutations spread faster through populations than genetic mutations. Epimutations can be neutral, deleterious, or adaptative and can be transmitted to subsequent generations, making them crucial factors in both long- and short-term responses to environmental fluctuations, such as climate change. In this review, we compile existing evidence of epigenetic involvement in acclimatization and adaptation to climate change and discuss derived perspectives and remaining challenges in the field of environmental epigenetics. Graphical Abstract.

Simultaneous ocean acidification and warming do not alter the lipid-associated biochemistry but induce enzyme activities in an asterinid starfish

Ocean acidification and warming affect marine ecosystems from the molecular scale in organismal physiology to broad alterations of ecosystem functions. However, knowledge of their combined effects on tropical-subtropical intertidal species remains limited. Pushing the environmental range of marine species away from the optimum initiates stress impacting biochemical metabolic characteristics, with consequences on lipid-associated and enzyme biochemistry. This study investigates lipid-associated fatty acids (FAs) and enzyme activities involved in biomineralization of the tropical-subtropical starfish Aquilonastra yairi in response to projected near-future global change. The starfish were acclimatized to two temperature levels (27 °C, 32 °C) crossed with three pCO2 concentrations (455 μatm, 1052 μatm, 2066 μatm). Total lipid (ΣLC) and FAs composition were unaffected by combined elevated temperature and pCO2, but at elevated temperature, there was an increase in ΣLC, SFAs (saturated FAs) and PUFAs (polyunsaturated FAs), and a decrease in MUFAs (monounsaturated FAs). However, temperature was the sole factor to significantly alter SFAs composition. Positive parabolic responses of Ca-ATPase and Mg-ATPase enzyme activities were detected at 27 °C with elevated pCO2, while stable enzyme activities were observed at 32 °C with elevated pCO2. Our results indicate that the lipid-associated biochemistry of A. yairi is resilient and capable of coping with near-future ocean acidification and warming. However, the calcification-related enzymes Ca-ATPase and Mg-ATPase activity appear to be more sensitive to pCO2/pH changes, leading to vulnerability concerning the skeletal structure.

The incorporation of strontium and barium into the otoliths of the flounder Paralichthys olivaceus at early life stages demonstrates resilience to ocean acidification

Ocean acidification could modify the bioavailability and chemical properties of trace elements in seawater, which could affect their incorporation into the calcareous structures of marine organisms. Fish otoliths, biomineralized ear stones made by aragonite, are suspended within the endolymph fluid of teleosts, indicating that the elemental incorporation of otoliths might also be susceptible to ocean acidification. In this study, we evaluated the combined effects of CO2-induced ocean acidification (pH 8.10, 7.70, and 7.30, corresponding to ocean acidification scenarios under the representative concentration pathway 8.5 model as projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and water elemental concentrations of strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba; low, medium, and high) on elemental incorporation into otoliths of the flounder Paralichthys olivaceus at early life stages. Our results revealed that the elemental incorporation of Sr and Ba into otoliths was principally dependent on the corresponding water elemental concentrations rather than on ocean acidification. Moreover, the partition coefficients (DMe) of Sr and Ba may stabilize after dynamic equilibrium is reached as the water elemental concentration increases, but are not affected by ocean acidification. Therefore, the incorporation of Sr and Ba into otoliths of the flounder at early life stages may not serve as an effective indicator of ocean acidification. In other words, the findings suggest that ocean acidification does not impact the incorporation of Sr and Ba incorporation into otoliths when tracing the temperature or salinity experiences of the flounder. Our findings will provide new knowledge for understanding the potential ecological effects of ocean acidification on the recruitment dynamics of fish species.

When resilience is not enough: 2022 extreme marine heatwave threatens climatic refugia for a habitat-forming Mediterranean octocoral

Climate change is impacting ecosystems worldwide, and the Mediterranean Sea is no exception. Extreme climatic events, such as marine heat waves (MHWs), are increasing in frequency, extent and intensity during the last decades, which has been associated with an increase in mass mortality events for multiple species. Coralligenous assemblages, where the octocoral Paramuricea clavata lives, are strongly affected by MHWs. The Medes Islands Marine Reserve (NW Mediterranean) was considered a climate refugia for P. clavata, as their populations were showing some resilience to these changing conditions. In this study, we assessed the impacts of the MHWs that occurred between 2016 and 2022 in seven shallow populations of the octocoral P. clavata from a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area. The years that the mortality rates increased significantly were associated with the ones with strong MHWs, 2022 being the one with higher mortalities. In 2022, with 50 MHW days, the proportion of total affected colonies was almost 70%, with a proportion of the injured surface of almost 40%, reaching levels never attained in our study site since the monitoring was started. We also found spatial variability between the monitored populations. Whereas few of them showed low levels of mortality, others lost around 75% of their biomass. The significant impacts documented here raise concerns about the future of shallow P. clavata populations across the Mediterranean, suggesting that the resilience of this species may not be maintained to sustain these populations face the ongoing warming trends.

Silver Nanoparticle-Functionalized Postsynthetically Modified Thiol MOF UiO-66-NH-SH for Efficient CO2 Fixation

Thiols are essential functional groups imparting unique properties, such as reactivity and selectivity, to many vital enzymes and biomolecules. The integration of electronically soft thiol groups within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) yields elevated reactivity and a pronounced affinity for soft metal ions. However, the scarcity of thiol-based ligands and synthetic challenges hinder the advancement of thiol-based MOFs. To bypass the difficulties of synthesizing thiol MOFs by a direct reaction between thiol-based ligands and corresponding metal salts, postsynthetic modification (PSM) of MOFs is an efficient strategy to introduce thiol functionality. Herein, we have introduced Ag nanoparticles in postsynthetically modified thiol MOFs UiO-66-NH-SH (1) (synthesized by reaction between UiO-66-NH2 and thioglycolic acid) and UiO-66-NH-SH (2) (synthesized by reaction between UiO-66-NH2 and 3-mercaptopropionic acid) to synthesize a series of heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 fixation. Catalysts Cat 1-2 and Cat 3 - 4 were synthesized from UiO-66-NH-SH (1) and UiO-66-NH-SH (2), respectively, by using varying concentrations of silver (AgNO3). Catalyst Ag@UiO-66-NH-SH (1) (Ag = 3.45%; namely Cat 2) shows the highest efficiency for the catalytic conversion of propargylic alcohol and terminal epoxide to the corresponding cyclic carbonates. Finally, a rationalized reaction mechanism is proposed by correlating our results with the current literature. This work presents a viable strategy to utilize the thiol functionality of MOFs (avoiding the complexities associated with synthesizing thiol MOFs directly from thiol ligands) as a platform for introducing catalytically active metal centers and applying them as a heterogeneous catalyst for CO2 fixation reactions.

Global biogeography and ecological implications of cobamide-producing prokaryotes

Cobamides, a class of essential coenzymes synthesized only by a subset of prokaryotes, are model nutrients in microbial interaction studies and play significant roles in global ecosystems. Yet, their spatial patterns and functional roles remain poorly understood. Herein, we present an in-depth examination of cobamide-producing microorganisms, drawn from a comprehensive analysis of 2862 marine and 2979 soil metagenomic samples. A total of 1934 nonredundant metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) potentially capable of producing cobamides de novo were identified. The cobamide-producing MAGs are taxonomically diverse but habitat specific. They constituted only a fraction of all the recovered MAGs, with the majority of MAGs being potential cobamide users. By mapping the distribution of cobamide producers in marine and soil environments, distinct latitudinal gradients were observed: the marine environment showed peak abundance at the equator, whereas soil environments peaked at mid-latitudes. Importantly, significant and positive links between the abundance of cobamide producers and the diversity and functions of microbial communities were observed, as well as their promotional roles in essential biogeochemical cycles. These associations were more pronounced in marine samples than in soil samples, which suggests a heightened propensity for microorganisms to engage in cobamide sharing in fluid environments relative to the more spatially restricted soil environment. These findings shed light on the global patterns and potential ecological roles of cobamide-producing microorganisms in marine and soil ecosystems, enhancing our understanding of large-scale microbial interactions.

Local adaptation with gene flow in a highly dispersive shark

Adaptive divergence in response to environmental clines are expected to be common in species occupying heterogeneous environments. Despite numerous advances in techniques appropriate for non-model species, gene-environment association studies in elasmobranchs are still scarce. The bronze whaler or copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus) is a large coastal shark with a wide distribution and one of the most exploited elasmobranchs in southern Africa. Here, we assessed the distribution of neutral and adaptive genomic diversity in C. brachyurus across a highly heterogeneous environment in southern Africa based on genome-wide SNPs obtained through a restriction site-associated DNA method (3RAD). A combination of differentiation-based genome-scan (outflank) and genotype-environment analyses (redundancy analysis, latent factor mixed models) identified a total of 234 differentiation-based outlier and candidate SNPs associated with bioclimatic variables. Analysis of 26,299 putatively neutral SNPs revealed moderate and evenly distributed levels of genomic diversity across sites from the east coast of South Africa to Angola. Multivariate and clustering analyses demonstrated a high degree of gene flow with no significant population structuring among or within ocean basins. In contrast, the putatively adaptive SNPs demonstrated the presence of two clusters and deep divergence between Angola and all other individuals from Namibia and South Africa. These results provide evidence for adaptive divergence in response to a heterogeneous seascape in a large, mobile shark despite high levels of gene flow. These results are expected to inform management strategies and policy at the national and regional level for conservation of C. brachyurus populations.

Survival of Nutrient-Starved Diatoms Under Ocean Acidification: Perspective from Nutrient Sensing, Cadmium Detection, and Nitrogen Assimilation

Increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have resulted in ocean acidification (OA) that is intertwined with enhanced ocean stratification. Diatoms are assumed to suffer from a more nutrient-limited condition in the future ocean. This study aimed to explore how OA affects the diatom dynamics under nutrient-poor conditions and the ability of diatoms to perceive nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon, and trace metals) and cadmium (Cd) stimuli and assimilate nitrogen when receiving nutrients or Cd supplementation. Our study observed that diatom population grown under OA condition declined faster than those grown under ambient condition. Ocean acidification greatly lower intracellular Ca2+ concentration in diatom cells. Intracellular Ca2+ burst was involved in phosphorus accumulation but not in nitrogen, silicon, essential metals, and cadmium uptake. Our data demonstrate slower NO3- assimilation rates of diatoms grown in acidified seawater. Our study also indicates that diatoms have a poor perception of phosphorus availability under OA condition.

Metabolic profiling of Mytilus coruscus mantle in response of shell repairing under acute acidification

Mytilus coruscus is an economically important marine bivalve mollusk found in the Yangtze River estuary, which experiences dramatic pH fluctuations due to seasonal freshwater input and suffer from shell fracture or injury in the natural environment. In this study, we used intact-shell and damaged-shell M. coruscus and performed metabolomic analysis, free amino acids analysis, calcium-positive staining, and intracellular calcium level tests in the mantle to investigate whether the mantle-specific metabolites can be induced by acute sea-water acidification and understand how the mantle responds to acute acidification during the shell repair process. We observed that both shell damage and acute acidification induced alterations in phospholipids, amino acids, nucleotides, organic acids, benzenoids, and their analogs and derivatives. Glycylproline, spicamycin, and 2-aminoheptanoic acid (2-AHA) are explicitly induced by shell damage. Betaine, aspartate, and oxidized glutathione are specifically induced by acute acidification. Our results show different metabolic patterns in the mussel mantle in response to different stressors, which can help elucidate the shell repair process under ocean acidification. furthermore, metabolic processes related to energy supply, cell function, signal transduction, and amino acid synthesis are disturbed by shell damage and/or acute acidification, indicating that both shell damage and acute acidification increased energy consumption, and disturb phospholipid synthesis, osmotic regulation, and redox balance. Free amino acid analysis and enzymatic activity assays partially confirmed our findings, highlighting the adaptation of M. coruscus to dramatic pH fluctuations in the Yangtze River estuary.

Global decrease in heavy metal concentrations in brown algae in the last 90 years

In the current scenario of global change, heavy metal pollution is of major concern because of its associated toxic effects and the persistence of these pollutants in the environment. This study is the first to evaluate the changes in heavy metal concentrations worldwide in brown algae over the last 90 years (>15,700 data across the globe reported from 1933 to 2020). The study findings revealed significant decreases in the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn of around 60-84% (ca. 2% annual) in brown algae tissues. The decreases were consistent across the different families considered (Dictyotaceae, Fucaceae, Laminariaceae, Sargassaceae and Others), and began between 1970 and 1990. In addition, strong relationships between these trends and pH, SST and heat content were detected. Although the observed metal declines could be partially explained by these strong correlations, or by adaptions in the algae, other evidences suggest an actual reduction in metal concentrations in oceans because of the implementation of environmental policies. In any case, this study shows a reduction in metal concentrations in brown algae over the last 50 years, which is important in itself, as brown algae form the basis of many marine food webs and are therefore potential distributors of pollutants.

Coastal freshening drives acidification state in Greenland fjords

Greenland's fjords and coastal waters are highly productive and sustain important fisheries. However, retreating glaciers and increasing meltwater are changing fjord circulation and biogeochemistry, which may threaten future productivity. The freshening of Greenland fjords caused by unprecedented melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet may alter carbonate chemistry in coastal waters, influencing CO₂ uptake and causing biological consequences from acidification. However, few studies to date explore the current acidification state in Greenland coastal waters. Here we present the first-ever large-scale measurements of carbonate system parameters in 16 Greenlandic fjords and seek to identify the drivers of acidification state in these freshening ecosystems. Aragonite saturation state (Ω), a proxy for ocean acidification, was calculated from dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity from fjords along the east and west coast of Greenland spanning 68-75°N. Aragonite saturation was primarily >1 in the surface mixed layer. However, undersaturated-or corrosive--conditions (Ω < 1) were observed on both coasts (west: Ω = 0.28-3.11, east: Ω = 0.70-3.07), albeit at different depths. West Greenland fjords were largely corrosive at depth while undersaturation in East Greenland fjords was only observed in surface waters. This reflects a difference in the coastal boundary conditions and mechanisms driving acidification state. We suggest that advection of Sub Polar Mode Water and accumulation of DIC from organic matter decomposition drive corrosive conditions in the West, while freshwater alkalinity dilution drives acidification in the East. The presence of marine terminating glaciers also impacted local acidification states by influencing fjord circulation: upwelling driven by subglacial discharge brought corrosive bottom waters to shallower depths. Meanwhile, discharge from land terminating glaciers strengthened stratification and diluted alkalinity. Regardless of the drivers in each system, increasing freshwater discharge will likely lower carbonate saturation states and impact biotic and abiotic carbon uptake in the future.

Ocean acidification and warming significantly affect coastal eutrophication and organic pollution: A case study in the Bohai Sea

Most coastal ecosystems are faced with novel challenges associated with human activities and climate change such as ocean acidification, warming, eutrophication, and organic pollution. However, data on the independent or combined effects of ocean acidification and warming on coastal eutrophication and organic pollution at present are relatively limited. Here, we applied the generalized additive models (GAMs) to explore the dynamics of coastal eutrophication and organic pollution in response to future climate change in the Bohai Sea. The GAMs reflected the fact that acidification alone favors eutrophication and organic pollution, while warming alone inhibits these two variables. Differently, the interactions between acidification and warming in the future may further exacerbate the organic pollution but may mitigate the progress of eutrophication. These different responses of eutrophication and organic pollution to acidification and warming may be attributed to algae growth and microbial respiration, as well as some physical processes such as stratification.

Proteomic and Transcriptomic Responses Enable Clams to Correct the pH of Calcifying Fluids and Sustain Biomineralization in Acidified Environments

Seawater pH and carbonate saturation are predicted to decrease dramatically by the end of the century. This process, designated ocean acidification (OA), threatens economically and ecologically important marine calcifiers, including the northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria). While many studies have demonstrated the adverse impacts of OA on bivalves, much less is known about mechanisms of resilience and adaptive strategies. Here, we examined clam responses to OA by evaluating cellular (hemocyte activities) and molecular (high-throughput proteomics, RNASeq) changes in hemolymph and extrapallial fluid (EPF-the site of biomineralization located between the mantle and the shell) in M. mercenaria continuously exposed to acidified (pH ~7.3; pCO₂ ~2700 ppm) and normal conditions (pH ~8.1; pCO₂ ~600 ppm) for one year. The extracellular pH of EPF and hemolymph (~7.5) was significantly higher than that of the external acidified seawater (~7.3). Under OA conditions, granulocytes (a sub-population of hemocytes important for biomineralization) were able to increase intracellular pH (by 54% in EPF and 79% in hemolymph) and calcium content (by 56% in hemolymph). The increased pH of EPF and hemolymph from clams exposed to high pCO₂ was associated with the overexpression of genes (at both the mRNA and protein levels) related to biomineralization, acid-base balance, and calcium homeostasis, suggesting that clams can use corrective mechanisms to mitigate the negative impact of OA.

Impacts of Seawater pH Buffering on the Larval Microbiome and Carry-Over Effects on Later-Life Disease Susceptibility in Pacific Oysters

Shellfish industries are threatened worldwide by recurrent summer mortality events. Such incidences are often associated with Vibrio disease outbreaks, and thus, it is critical that animals are able to mount sufficient immune responses.

Marine viruses and climate change: Virioplankton, the carbon cycle, and our future ocean

Interactions between marine viruses and microbes are a critical part of the oceanic carbon cycle. The impacts of virus-host interactions range from short-term disruptions in the mobility of microbial biomass carbon to higher trophic levels through cell lysis (i.e., the viral shunt) to long-term reallocation of microbial biomass carbon to the deep sea through accelerating the biological pump (i.e., the viral shuttle). The biogeochemical backdrop of the ocean-the physical, chemical, and biological landscape-influences the likelihood of both virus-host interactions and particle formation, and the fate and flow of carbon. As climate change reshapes the oceanic landscape through large-scale shifts in temperature, circulation, stratification, and acidification, virus-mediated carbon flux is likely to shift in response. Dynamics in the directionality and magnitude of changes in how, where, and when viruses mediate the recycling or storage of microbial biomass carbon is largely unknown. Integrating viral infection dynamics data obtained from experimental models and field systems, with particle motion microphysics and global observations of oceanic biogeochemistry, into improved ecosystem models will enable viral oceanographers to better predict the role of viruses in marine carbon cycling in the future ocean.

Nano-ecotoxicology in a changing ocean

The ocean faces an era of change, driven in large by the release of anthropogenic CO2, and the unprecedented entry of pollutants into the water column. Nanomaterials, those particles < 100 nm, represent an emerging contaminant of environmental concern. Research on the ecotoxicology and fate of nanomaterials in the natural environment has increased substantially in recent years. However, commonly such research does not consider the wider environmental changes that are occurring in the ocean, i.e., ocean warming and acidification, and occurrence of co-contaminants. In this review, the current literature available on the combined impacts of nanomaterial exposure and (i) ocean warming, (ii) ocean acidification, (iii) co-contaminant stress, upon marine biota is explored. Here, it is identified that largely co-stressors influence nanomaterial ecotoxicity by altering their fate and behaviour in the water column, thus altering their bioavailability to marine organisms. By acting in this way, such stressors, are able to mitigate or elevate toxic effects of nanomaterials in a material-specific manner. However, current evidence is limited to a relatively small set of test materials and model organisms. Indeed, data is biased towards effects upon marine bivalve species. In future, expanding studies to involve other ecologically significant taxonomic groups, primarily marine phytoplankton will be highly beneficial. Although limited in number, the available evidence highlights the importance of considering co-occurring environmental changes in ecotoxicological research, as it is likely in the natural environment, the material of interest will not be the sole stressor encountered by biota. As such, research examining ecotoxicology alongside co-occurring environmental stressors is essential to effectively evaluating risk and develop effective long-term management strategies.

Synthesized effects of medium-term exposure to seawater acidification and microplastics on the physiology and energy budget of the thick shell mussel Mytilus coruscus

Ocean acidification (OA) and microplastics (MPs) contamination are two results of human excises. In regions like estuarine areas, OA and MPs exposure are happening at the same time. The current research investigated the synthesized effects of OA and MPs exposure for a medium-term duration on the physiology and energy budget of the thick shell mussel Mytilus coruscus. Mussels were treated by six combinations of three MPs levels (0, 10 and 1000 items L^-1) × two pH levels (7.3, 8.1) for 21 d. As a result, under pH 7.3, clearance rate (CR), food absorption efficiency (AE), respiration rate (RR), and scope for growth (SFG) significantly decreased, while the fecal organic dry weight ratio (E) significantly increased. 1000 items L^-1 MPs led to decrease of CR, E, SFG and increase of AE under pH 8.1. Interactive effects from combination of pH and MPs were found in terms of CR, AE, E and RR, but not for SFG of M. coruscus.

Impacts of ocean warming and acidification on the energy budget of three commercially important fish species

A mechanistic model based on Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory was developed to predict the combined effects of ocean warming, acidification and decreased food availability on growth and reproduction of three commercially important marine fish species: white seabream (Diplodus sargus), zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus) and Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). Model simulations used a parameter set for each species, estimated by the Add-my-Pet method using data from laboratory experiments complemented with bibliographic sources. An acidification stress factor was added as a modifier of the somatic maintenance costs and estimated for each species to quantify the effect of a decrease in pH from 8.0 to 7.4 (white seabream) or 7.7 (zebra seabream and Senegalese sole). The model was used to project total length of individuals along their usual lifespan and number of eggs produced by an adult individual within one year, under different climate change scenarios for the end of the 21st century. For the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change SSP5-8.5, ocean warming led to higher growth rates during the first years of development, as well as an increase of 32-34% in egg production, for the three species. Ocean acidification contributed to reduced growth for white seabream and Senegalese sole and a small increase for zebra seabream, as well as a decrease in egg production of 48-52% and 14-33% for white seabream and Senegalese sole, respectively, and an increase of 4-5% for zebra seabream. The combined effect of ocean warming and acidification is strongly dependent on the decrease of food availability, which leads to significant reduction in growth and egg production. This is the first study to assess the combined effects of ocean warming and acidification using DEB models on fish, therefore, further research is needed for a better understanding of these climate change-related effects among different taxonomic groups and species.

Parasitism by metacercariae modulates the morphological, organic and mechanical responses of the shell of an intertidal bivalve to environmental drivers

Environmental variation alters biological interactions and their ecological and evolutionary consequences. In coastal systems, trematode parasites affect their hosts by disrupting their life-history traits. However, the effects of parasitism could be variable and dependent on the prevailing environmental conditions where the host-parasite interaction occurs. This study compared the effect of a trematode parasite in the family Renicolidae (metacercariae) on the body size and the shell organic and mechanical characteristics of the intertidal mussels Perumytilus purpuratus, inhabiting two environmentally contrasting localities in northern and central Chile (ca. 1600 km apart). Congruent with the environmental gradient along the Chilean coast, higher levels of temperature, salinity and pCO₂, and a lower pH characterise the northern locality compared to that of central Chile. In the north, parasitised individuals showed lower body size and shell resistance than non-parasitised individuals, while in central Chile, the opposite pattern was observed. Protein level in the organic matter of the shell was lower in the parasitised hosts than in the non-parasitised ones regardless of the locality. However, an increase in polysaccharide levels was observed in the parasitised individuals from central Chile. These results evidence that body size and shell properties of P. purpuratus vary between local populations and that they respond differently when confronting the parasitism impacts. Considering that the parasite prevalence reaches around 50% in both populations, if parasitism is not included in the analysis, the true response of the host species would be masked by the effects of the parasite, skewing our understanding of how environmental variables will affect marine species. Considering parasitism and identifying its effects on host species faced with environmental drivers is essential to understand and accurately predict the ecological consequences of climate change.

Assessing the Benthic Response to Climate-Driven Methane Hydrate Destabilisation: State of the Art and Future Modelling Perspectives

Modern observations and geological records suggest that anthropogenic ocean warming could destabilise marine methane hydrate, resulting in methane release from the seafloor to the ocean-atmosphere, and potentially triggering a positive feedback on global temperature. On the decadal to millennial timescales over which hydrate-sourced methane release is hypothesized to occur, several processes consuming methane below and above the seafloor have the potential to slow, reduce or even prevent such release. Yet, the modulating effect of these processes on seafloor methane emissions remains poorly quantified, and the full impact of benthic methane consumption on ocean carbon chemistry is still to be explored. In this review, we document the dynamic interplay between hydrate thermodynamics, benthic transport and biogeochemical reaction processes, that ultimately determines the impact of hydrate destabilisation on seafloor methane emissions and the ocean carbon cycle. Then, we provide an overview of how state-of-the-art numerical models treat such processes and examine their ability to quantify hydrate-sourced methane emissions from the seafloor, as well as their impact on benthic biogeochemical cycling. We discuss the limitations of current models in coupling the dynamic interplay between hydrate thermodynamics and the different reaction and transport processes that control the efficiency of the benthic sink, and highlight their shortcoming in assessing the full implication of methane release on ocean carbon cycling. Finally, we recommend that current Earth system models explicitly account for hydrate driven benthic-pelagic exchange fluxes to capture potential hydrate-carbon cycle-climate feed-backs.

Is the relative thickness of ammonoid septa influenced by ocean acidification, phylogenetic relationships and palaeogeographic position?

The impact of increasing atmospheric CO2 and the resulting decreasing pH of seawater are in the focus of current environmental research. These factors cause problems for marine calcifiers such as reduced calcification rates and the dissolution of calcareous skeletons. While the impact on recent organisms is well established, little is known about long-term evolutionary consequences. Here, we assessed whether ammonoids reacted to environmental change by changing septal thickness. We measured the septal thickness of ammonoid phragmocones through ontogeny in order to test the hypothesis that atmospheric pCO2, seawater pH and other factors affected aragonite biomineralisation in ammonoids. Particularly, we studied septal thickness of ammonoids before and after the ocean acidification event in the latest Triassic until the Early Cretaceous. Early Jurassic ammonoid lineages had thinner septa relative to diameter than their Late Triassic relatives, which we tentatively interpret as consequence of a positive selection for reduced shell material as an evolutionary response to this ocean acidification event. This response was preserved within several lineages among the Early Jurassic descendants of these ammonoids. By contrast, we did not find a significant correlation between septal thickness and long-term atmospheric pCO2 or seawater pH, but we discovered a correlation with palaeolatitude.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13358-022-00246-2.

pH Regulates the Formation and Hatching of Cryptocaryon irritans Tomonts, Which Affects Cryptocaryoniasis Occurrence in Larimichthys crocea Aquaculture

Cryptocaryon irritans are the main pathogens of white spot disease in marine teleost. However, the occurrence of cryptocaryoniasis is influenced by several abiotic factors including the pH. To explore the effect of pH on the life cycle of C. irritans (encystment, cleavage, and hatchability), protomonts and tomonts of C. irritans were incubated in seawater of 10 different pH levels (2-11). pH 8 was used as the control. The change in morphology and infectivity of theronts that hatched from tomonts against Larimichthys crocea were then recorded. We found that pH 6-9 had no significant effect on the encystment, cleavage, and hatching of the parasites. However, pH beyond this limit decreased the cleavage and hatching of the tomonts. Furthermore, extreme pH decreased the number of theronts hatched by each tomont and the pathogenicity of the theronts, but increased the aspect ratio of the theronts. Infectivity experiments further revealed that extreme pH significantly decreased the infectivity of C. irritans against L. crocea. In conclusion, the C. irritans can survive in pH of 5 to 10, but pH 6-9 is the optimal range for the reproduction and infectivity of C. irritans. However, extreme pH negatively affects these aspects. IMPORTANCECryptocaryon irritans is a ciliate parasite that causes "white spot disease" in marine teleosts. The disease outbreak is influenced by hosts and a range of abiotic factors, such as temperature, salinity, and pH. Studies have shown that change in pH of seawater affects the structure (diversity and abundance of marine organisms) of marine ecosystem. However, how pH affects the life cycle and survival of C. irritans, and how future ocean acidification will affect the occurrence of cryptocaryoniasis, are not well understood. In this study, we explored the effect of pH on the formation and hatching of C. irritans tomonts. The findings of this study provide the foundation of the environmental adaptation of C. irritans, the occurrence of cryptocaryoniasis, and better management of marine fish culture.

The Symbiotic Relationship between the Antarctic Limpet, Nacella concinna, and Epibiont Coralline Algae

The Antarctic limpet, Nacella concinna, is one of the most abundant benthic marine invertebrates found in the intertidal zone of King George Island, Antarctica. The shell of N. concinna is often encrusted with the coralline algae Clathromorphum obtectulum. In this study, to reveal the relationship between the limpet and coralline algae, we examined how the coralline algae affect the physical condition (survival and health) and morphology of the limpet. We cultured the limpets for 22 days and compared mortality, weight, condition factor (CF), fatty acid content, and the structure of the shell surface between limpets both with and without coralline algae in the laboratory. We also measured the environmental factors (i.e., temperature, pH, and salinity) of the seawater at each sampling site and the CF of the limpets and correlated them with coverage of coralline algae. The presence of coralline algae significantly increased the mortality of the limpets by 40% and the shell weight by 1.4-fold but did not affect the CF. Additionally, coralline algae altered the fatty acid profiles related to the limpet’s lipid metabolism (saturated fatty acids (SFA) and some polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)). Specifically, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, and total SFA increased, whereas C18:2 and C18:3 decreased. However, observations with a scanning electron microscope showed that shell damage in limpets with coralline algae was much less than in limpets without coralline algae, suggesting that coralline algae may provide protection against endolithic algae. The area of coralline algae on the limpet shell was positively correlated with the pH and temperature of the seawater. The results suggest that although coralline algae are generally assumed to be parasitical, the relationship between N. concinna and coralline algae may change to mutualism under certain conditions.

PAHs and PCBs Affect Functionally Intercorrelated Genes in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus Embryos

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) represent the most common pollutants in the marine sediments. Previous investigations demonstrated short-term sublethal effects of sediments polluted with both contaminants on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus after 2 months of exposure in mesocosms. In particular, morphological malformations observed in P. lividus embryos deriving from adults exposed to PAHs and PCBs were explained at molecular levels by de novo transcriptome assembly and real-time qPCR, leading to the identification of several differentially expressed genes involved in key physiological processes. Here, we extensively explored the genes involved in the response of the sea urchin P. lividus to PAHs and PCBs. Firstly, 25 new genes were identified and interactomic analysis revealed that they were functionally connected among them and to several genes previously defined as molecular targets of response to the two pollutants under analysis. The expression levels of these 25 genes were followed by Real Time qPCR, showing that almost all genes analyzed were affected by PAHs and PCBs. These findings represent an important further step in defining the impacts of slight concentrations of such contaminants on sea urchins and, more in general, on marine biota, increasing our knowledge of molecular targets involved in responses to environmental stressors.

A Novel Lab-on-Chip Spectrophotometric pH Sensor for Autonomous In Situ Seawater Measurements to 6000 m Depth on Stationary and Moving Observing Platforms

We report a new, autonomous Lab-on-Chip (LOC) microfluidic pH sensor with a 6000 m depth capability, ten times the depth capability of the state of the art autonomous spectrophotometric sensor. The pH is determined spectrophotometrically using purified meta-Cresol Purple indicator dye offering high precision (<0.001 pH unit measurement reproducibility), high frequency (every 8 min) measurements on the total proton scale from the surface to the deep ocean (to 600 bar). The sensor requires low power (3 W during continuous operation or ∼1300 J per measurement) and low reagent volume (∼3 μL per measurement) and generates small waste volume (∼2 mL per measurement) which can be retained during deployments. The performance of the LOC pH sensor was demonstrated on fixed and moving platforms over varying environmental salinity, temperature, and pressure conditions. Measurement accuracy was +0.003 ± 0.022 pH units (n = 47) by comparison with validation seawater sample measurements in coastal waters. The combined standard uncertainty of the sensor in situ pH_T measurements was estimated to be ≤0.009 pH units at pH 8.5, ≤ 0.010 pH units at pH 8.0, and ≤0.014 pH units at pH 7.5. Integrated on autonomous platforms, this novel sensor opens new frontiers for pH observations, especially within the largest and most understudied ecosystem on the planet, the deep ocean.

Molecular mechanisms underlying responses of the Antarctic coral Malacobelemnon daytoni to ocean acidification

Benthic organisms of the Southern Ocean are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification (OA), as they inhabit cold waters where calcite-aragonite saturation states are naturally low. OA most strongly affects animals with calcium carbonate skeletons or shells, such as corals and mollusks. We exposed the abundant cold-water coral Malacobelemnon daytoni from an Antarctic fjord to low pH seawater (LpH) (7.68 ± 0.17) to test its physiological responses to OA, at the level of gene expression (RT-PCR) and enzyme activity. Corals were exposed in short- (3 days) and long-term (54 days) experiments to two pCO₂ conditions (ambient and elevated pCO₂ equaling RCP 8.5, IPCC 2019, approximately 372.53 and 956.78 μatm, respectively). Of the eleven genes studied through RT-PCR, six were significantly upregulated compared with control in the short-term in the LpH condition, including the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), Toll-like receptor (TLR), galaxin and ferritin. After long-term exposure to low pH conditions, RT-PCR analysis showed seven genes were upregulated. These include the mannose-binding C-Lectin and HSP90. Also, the expression of TLR and galaxin, among others, continued to be upregulated after long-term exposure to LpH. Expression of carbonic anhydrase (CA), a key enzyme involved in calcification, was also significantly upregulated after long-term exposure. Our results indicated that, after two months, M. daytoni is not acclimatized to this experimental LpH condition. Gene expression profiles revealed molecular impacts that were not evident at the enzyme activity level. Consequently, understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the physiological processes in the response of a coral to LpH is critical to understanding the ability of polar species to cope with future environmental changes. Approaches integrating molecular tools into Antarctic ecological and/or conservation research make an essential contribution given the current ongoing OA processes.

Planktonic associations between medusae (classes Scyphozoa and Hydrozoa) and epifaunal crustaceans

Jellyfish are known to carry various epibionts, including many of the subphylum Crustacea. However, the associations between gelatinous zooplankton and other invertebrates have been chronically overlooked. Crustacea, a massive clade of economically, ecologically, and culturally important species, includes many taxa that utilize gelatinous zooplankton for food, transport, and protection as both adults and juveniles. Here we compile 211 instances of epifaunal crustaceans recorded on Hydromedusae and Scyphomedusae from a century of literature. These include 78 identified crustacean species in 65 genera across nine orders found upon 37 Hydromedusa species and 48 Scyphomedusae. The crustacean life stage, location, nature of the association with the medusa, years, months, and depths are compiled to form a comprehensive view of the current state of the literature. Additionally, this review highlights areas where the current literature is lacking, particularly noting our poor understanding of the relationships between juvenile crabs of commercially valuable species and medusae.

Integrated RNA-seq and Proteomic Studies Reveal Resource Reallocation towards Energy Metabolism and Defense in Skeletonema marinoi in Response to CO2 Increase

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations are causing ocean acidification (OA) with significant consequences for marine organisms. Because CO2 is essential for photosynthesis, the effect of elevated CO2 on phytoplankton is more complex and the mechanism is poorly understood. Here we applied RNA-seq and iTRAQ proteomics to investigate the impacts of CO2 increase (from ∼400 to 1000 ppm) on the temperate coastal marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi We identified 32,389 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1,826 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) from elevated CO2 conditions, accounting for 48.5% of total genes and 25.9% of total proteins we detected, respectively. Elevated pCO2 significantly inhibited the growth of S marinoi, and the 'omic' data suggested that this might be due to compromised photosynthesis in the chloroplast and raised mitochondrial energy metabolism. Furthermore, many genes/proteins associated with nitrogen metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and translational regulation were markedly up-regulated, suggesting enhanced protein synthesis. In addition, S marinoi exhibited higher capacity of ROS production and resistance to oxidative stress. Overall, elevated pCO2 seems to repress photosynthesis and growth of S marinoi, and through massive gene expression reconfiguration induce cells to increase investment in protein synthesis, energy metabolism and antioxidative stress defense, likely to maintain pH homeostasis and population survival. This survival strategy may deprive this usually dominant diatom in temperate coastal waters of its competitive advantages in acidified environments.Importance Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations are causing ocean acidification with significant consequences for marine organisms. Chain-forming centric diatoms of Skeletonema is one of the most successful groups of eukaryotic primary producers with widespread geographic distribution. Among the recognized 28 species, S. marinoi can be a useful model for investigating the ecological, genetic, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of diatoms in temperate coastal regions. In this study, we found that the elevated pCO2 seems to repress photosynthesis and growth of S. marinoi, and through massive gene expression reconfiguration induce cells to increase investment in protein synthesis, energy metabolism and antioxidative stress defense, likely to maintain pH homeostasis and population survival. This survival strategy may deprive this usually dominant diatom in temperate coastal waters of its competitive advantages in acidified environments.

Effects of climate change factors on marine macroalgae: A review

Marine macroalgae, the main primary producers in coastal waters, play important roles in the fishery industry and global carbon cycles. With progressive ocean global changes, however, they are increasingly exposed to enhanced levels of multiple environmental drivers, such as ocean acidification, warming, heatwaves, UV radiation and deoxygenation. While most macroalgae have developed physiological strategies against variations of these drivers, their eco-physiological responses to each or combinations of the drivers differ spatiotemporally and species-specifically. Many freshwater macroalgae are tolerant of pH drop and its diel fluctuations and capable of acclimating to changes in carbonate chemistry. However, calcifying species, such as coralline algae, are very sensitive to acidification of seawater, which reduces their calcification, and additionally, temperature rise and UV further decrease their physiological performance. Except for these calcifying species, both economically important and harmful macroalgae can benefit from elevated CO₂ concentrations and moderate temperature rise, which might be responsible for increasing events of harmful macroalgal blooms including green macroalgal blooms caused by Ulva spp. and golden tides caused by Sargassum spp. Upper intertidal macroalgae, especially those tolerant of dehydration during low tide, increase their photosynthesis under elevated CO₂ concentrations during the initial dehydration period, however, these species might be endangered by heatwaves, which can expose them to high temperature levels above their thermal windows' upper limit. On the other hand, since macroalgae are distributed in shallow waters, they are inevitably exposed to solar UV radiation. The effects of UV radiation, depending on weather conditions and species, can be harmful as well as beneficial to many species. Moderate levels of UV-A (315-400nm) can enhance photosynthesis of green, brown and red algae, while UV-B (280-315nm) mainly show inhibitory impacts. Although little has been documented on the combined effects of elevated CO₂, temperature or heatwaves with UV radiation, exposures to heatwaves during midday under high levels of UV radiation can be detrimental to most species, especially to their microscopic stages which are less tolerant of climate change induced stress. In parallel, reduced availability of dissolved O₂ in coastal water along with eutrophication might favour the macroalgae's carboxylation process by suppressing their oxygenation or photorespiration. In this review, we analyse effects of climate change-relevant drivers individually and/or jointly on different macroalgal groups and different life cycle stages based on the literatures surveyed, and provide perspectives for future studies.

Field Testing of Biohybrid Robotic Jellyfish to Demonstrate Enhanced Swimming Speeds

Biohybrid robotic designs incorporating live animals and self-contained microelectronic systems can leverage the animals’ own metabolism to reduce power constraints and act as natural chassis and actuators with damage tolerance. Previous work established that biohybrid robotic jellyfish can exhibit enhanced speeds up to 2.8 times their baseline behavior in laboratory environments. However, it remains unknown if the results could be applied in natural, dynamic ocean environments and what factors can contribute to large animal variability. Deploying this system in the coastal waters of Massachusetts, we validate and extend prior laboratory work by demonstrating increases in jellyfish swimming speeds up to 2.3 times greater than their baseline, with absolute swimming speeds up to 6.6 ± 0.3 cm s⁻¹. These experimental swimming speeds are predicted using a hydrodynamic model with morphological and time-dependent input parameters obtained from field experiment videos. The theoretical model can provide a basis to choose specific jellyfish with desirable traits to maximize enhancements from robotic manipulation. With future work to increase maneuverability and incorporate sensors, biohybrid robotic jellyfish can potentially be used to track environmental changes in applications for ocean monitoring.

EAT BREATHE EXCRETE REPEAT: Physiological Responses of the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to Diclofenac and Ocean Acidification

Combined effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and lowered seawater pH were assessed on the physiological responses of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Bivalves were exposed for 1 week to natural pH (8.1) and two reduced pH values (pH −0.4 units and pH −0.7 units), as predicted under a climate change scenario. After the first week, exposure continued for additional 2 weeks, both in the absence and in the presence of environmentally relevant concentrations of diclofenac (0.05 and 0.5 µg/L). Clearance rate, respiration rate, and excretion rate were measured after 7 days of exposure to pH only and after 14 (T1) and 21 (T2) days of exposure to the various pH*diclofenac combinations. At all sampling times, pH significantly affected all the biological parameters considered, whereas diclofenac generally exhibited a significant influence only at T2. Overall, results demonstrated that the physiological performance of M. galloprovincialis was strongly influenced by the experimental conditions tested, in particular by the interaction between the two stressors after 21 days of exposure. Further studies are needed to assess the combined effects of climate changes and emerging contaminants on bivalve physiology during different life stages, especially reproduction.

Rapid deep ocean deoxygenation and acidification threaten life on Northeast Pacific seamounts

Anthropogenic climate change is causing our oceans to lose oxygen and become more acidic at an unprecedented rate, threatening marine ecosystems and their associated animals. In deep-sea environments, where conditions have typically changed over geological timescales, the associated animals, adapted to these stable conditions, are expected to be highly vulnerable to any change or direct human impact. Our study coalesces one of the longest deep-sea observational oceanographic time series, reaching back to the 1960s, with a modern visual survey that characterizes almost two vertical kilometers of benthic seamount ecosystems. Based on our new and rigorous analysis of the Line P oceanographic monitoring data, the upper 3,000 m of the Northeast Pacific (NEP) has lost 15% of its oxygen in the last 60 years. Over that time, the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), ranging between approximately 480 and 1,700 m, has expanded at a rate of 3.0 ± 0.7 m/year (due to deepening at the bottom). Additionally, carbonate saturation horizons above the OMZ have been shoaling at a rate of 1-2 m/year since the 1980s. Based on our visual surveys of four NEP seamounts, these deep-sea features support ecologically important taxa typified by long life spans, slow growth rates, and limited mobility, including habitat-forming cold water corals and sponges, echinoderms, and fish. By examining the changing conditions within the narrow realized bathymetric niches for a subset of vulnerable populations, we resolve chemical trends that are rapid in comparison to the life span of the taxa and detrimental to their survival. If these trends continue as they have over the last three to six decades, they threaten to diminish regional seamount ecosystem diversity and cause local extinctions. This study highlights the importance of mitigating direct human impacts as species continue to suffer environmental changes beyond our immediate control.

Effects of Low pH and Low Salinity Induced by Meltwater Inflow on the Behavior and Physical Condition of the Antarctic Limpet, Nacella concinna

Seawater acidification and freshening in the intertidal zone of Marian Cove, Antarctica, which occurs by the freshwater inflow from snow fields and glaciers, could affect the physiology and behavior of intertidal marine organisms. In this study, we exposed Antarctic limpets, Nacella concinna, to two different pH (8.00 and 7.55) and salinity (34.0 and 27.0 psu) levels and measured their righting ability after being flipped over, mortality, condition factor, and shell dissolution. During the 35-day exposure, there was no significant difference in behavior and mortality between different treatments. However, the condition factor was negatively affected by low salinity. Both low pH and low salinity negatively influenced shell formation by decreasing the aragonite saturation state (Ωarg) and enhancing shell dissolution. Our results suggest that, though limpets can tolerate short-term low pH and salinity conditions, intrusions of meltwater accompanied by the glacial retreat may act as a serious threat to the population of N. concinna.

Geographical variability and parasitism on body size, reproduction and shell characteristics of the keyhole limpet Fissurella crassa (Mollusca: Vetigastropoda)

Environmental variation may alter biological interactions and their ecological consequences. For instance, in marine ecosystems hosts and parasites are subject to environmental variability across latitudinal gradients, and their co-evolutionary dynamics may be the result of the interplay with local physical-chemical variables in seawater. Thus, assessing the environmental conditions required for a host in order to improve their survival is essential to understand the host-parasite interaction and dynamics. In this study, we evaluated the impact of parasitism by Proctoeces humboldti on the body size and reproduction of the intertidal keyhole limpet Fissurella crassa collected from three populations spanning ca. 1500 km along the latitudinal gradient of the Chilean coast. In addition, for the first time, we explore whether the effect of parasitism can be extended to changes in the organic composition and mechanical properties of the host shell. Our results show that parasitism prevalence and intensity, and body size of F. crassa increased in central Chile (ca. 33°S). Unlike body size, which was greater in parasitized limpets than in non-parasitized limpets at the three study sites, reproductive performance followed this trend only in central Chile populations, with no differences between parasitized and non-parasitized limpets collected in the northern Chilean (ca. 23°S), and lower in parasitized than non-parasitized individuals from the south-central Chile (ca. 37°S). The organic composition of F. crassa shells showed significant differences between parasite conditions (e.g. polysaccharides and water decreased in parasitized limpets) and across sites (e.g. proteins levels increase in shell of parasitized limpets from central Chile, but decreased at south-central Chile). However, variability in shell mechanical properties (e.g. toughness and elastic module) do not showed significant differences across sites and parasitism condition. These results suggest the interplay of both parasitism and environmental fluctuations upon the reproductive performance and morphology of the host. In addition, our result highlight that the host may also trade-offs reproduction, growth and shell organic composition to maintain the shell functionality (e.g. protection for mechanical forces and durophagous predators).

Fossil-calibrated molecular phylogeny of atlantid heteropods (Gastropoda, Pterotracheoidea)

BACKGROUND

The aragonite shelled, planktonic gastropod family Atlantidae (shelled heteropods) is likely to be one of the first groups to be impacted by imminent ocean changes, including ocean warming and ocean acidification. With a fossil record spanning at least 100 Ma, atlantids have experienced and survived global-scale ocean changes and extinction events in the past. However, the diversification patterns and tempo of evolution in this family are largely unknown.

RESULTS

Based on a concatenated maximum likelihood phylogeny of three genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial DNA, 28S and 18S ribosomal rRNA) we show that the three extant genera of the family Atlantidae, Atlanta, Protatlanta and Oxygyrus, form monophyletic groups. The genus Atlanta is split into two groups, one exhibiting smaller, well ornamented shells, and the other having larger, less ornamented shells. The fossil record, in combination with a fossil-calibrated phylogeny, suggests that large scale atlantid extinction was accompanied by considerable and rapid diversification over the last 25 Ma, potentially driven by vicariance events.

CONCLUSIONS

Now confronted with a rapidly changing modern ocean, the ability of atlantids to survive past global change crises gives some optimism that they may be able to persist through the Anthropocene.