SD4: Improved understanding of population, community and ecosystem impacts of ocean acidification for commercially important species

Lead Research Organisation: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Biosciences

Abstract

See form from Lead Organisation (Swansea, Prof. K. Flynn)

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Larvae of a commercially important fish species, European seabass, were grown in conditions to mimic those at the end of the century (higher temperature and CO2). After 70 days exposure, although growth was greater in fish raised at the high temperature and CO2, they also had reduced aerobic scope (i.e. reduced capacity to perform energetically costly activities).
Exploitation Route The aquaculture industry should be interested in our findings, in relation to rearing conditions now and in a future of climate change, and how these may influence early life stage growth, survival and fitness quality of their fish. Our data are also relevant to the wild-capture fishing industry, as reduced aerobic scope in juveniles could translate into reduced survival and stocks of the larger fish desired for human consumption.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Energy

Environment

Leisure Activities

including Sports

Recreation and Tourism

 
Description Evidence at Commons Select Committtee Enquiry on Ocean Acidification
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
URL http://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/3bfb278e-acaf-4d9e-86a6-55c986e728de
 
Title Seawater carbonate chemistry and hypoxia tolerance and blood chemistry characteristics of European sea bass 
Description Global environmental change is increasing hypoxia in aquatic ecosystems. During hypoxic events, bacterial respiration causes an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) while oxygen (O2) declines. This is rarely accounted for when assessing hypoxia tolerances of aquatic organisms. We investigated the impact of environmentally realistic increases in CO2 on responses to hypoxia in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). We conducted a critical oxygen (O2crit) test, a common measure of hypoxia tolerance, using two treatments in which O2 levels were reduced with constant ambient CO2 levels (~530 µatm), or with reciprocal increases in CO2 (rising to ~2,500 µatm). We also assessed blood acid-base chemistry and haemoglobin-O2 binding affinity of sea bass in hypoxic conditions with ambient (~650 µatm) or raised CO2 (~1770 µatm) levels. Sea bass exhibited greater hypoxia tolerance (~20% reduced O2crit), associated with increased haemoglobin-O2 affinity (~32% fall in P50) of red blood cells, when exposed to reciprocal changes in O2 and CO2. This indicates that rising CO2 which accompanies environmental hypoxia facilitates increased O2 uptake by the blood in low O2 conditions, enhancing hypoxia tolerance. We recommend that when impacts of hypoxia on aquatic organisms are assessed, due consideration is given to associated environmental increases in CO2. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.914653
 
Description From comparative physiology to global climate change 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Schools Outreach Activity - Guest Speaker at the Heads of Biology for Canford Schools (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset A-level schools and colleges), held at Truro School, Cornwall on 12th June 2013. The talk was aimed at linking research to teaching in the A-level curriculum.

Southwest Schools Outreach Activity - Guest Speaker at the Heads of Biology for Canford Schools (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset A-level schools and colleges), held at Truro School, Cornwall on 12th June 2013. The talk was aimed at linking research to education, and resulted in invitations to give further talks to senior school students in the region
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013