Vulnerability of marine biodiversity to ocean acidification: a meta-analysis
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015, more |  |
| Keywords | Acidification
Aquatic organisms > Marine organisms
Biochemical phenomena > Calcification
pH
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | acidification; biological response; marine organisms; calcification; pH |
| Authors | | Top | - Hendriks, I.E., more
- Duarte, C.M., more
- Álvarez, M.
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| Abstract | The ocean captures a large part of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere. Asa result of the increase in CO2 partial pressure the ocean pH is lowered as compared to pre-industrial times and a further decline is expected. Ocean acidification has been proposed to pose a major threat for marine organisms, particularly shell-forming and calcifying organisms. Here we show, on the basis ofmeta-analysis of available experimental assessments, differences in organism responses to elevated pCO2 and propose that marine biota may be more resistant to ocean acidification than expected. Calcification is most sensitive to ocean acidification while it is questionable if marine functional diversity is impacted significantly along the ranges of acidification predicted for the 21st century. Active biological processes and small-scale temporal and spatial variability in ocean pH may render marine biota far more resistant to ocean acidification than hitherto believed. |
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