Review
Engineering, Marine
Emanuele Somma, Antonio Terlizzi, Maria Costantini, Madalena Madeira, Valerio Zupo
Summary: The successions of benthic communities are influenced by the first colonizers, such as bacteria, diatoms, and invertebrate larvae. The process is dynamic and can be affected by global warming and ocean acidification. However, the impact of these global stressors on benthic ecosystems is still poorly understood.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. I. Bertucci, J. Bellas
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the potential risk of the combined effect of global change factors and microplastic pollution on the growth and development of the sea urchin P. lividus. The results showed that exposure to decreased pH and microplastic caused a significant decrease in larval growth, while an increase in water temperature added additional stress, resulting in lower growth and altered development of the sea urchin larvae. The combined stress of ocean warming, acidification, and microplastic pollution may threaten sea urchin populations and have a potential impact on coastal ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eric Mortenson, Andrew Lenton, Elizabeth H. Shadwick, Thomas W. Trull, Matthew A. Chamberlain, Xuebin Zhang
Summary: The ocean serves as a major sink for anthropogenic heat and carbon, but the trajectories of heat and CO2 uptake diverge over the 21st century due to regional differences in physical and chemical drivers. Regional variations in heat-to-carbon uptake ratios will result in coherent regional patterns for sea surface warming and acidification by the end of this century.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Colleen B. Bove, Katharine Greene, Sharla Sugierski, Nicola G. Kriefall, Alexa K. Huzar, Annabel M. Hughes, Koty Sharp, Nicole D. Fogarty, Sarah W. Davies
Summary: Global change, including seawater temperature increase and oceanic pH decrease, is causing declines in coral reefs. Local stressors such as microplastics also impact coral ecosystems. The interactions between these global and local stressors are not well-known. This study examines the independent and combined effects of global change and microplastics on gene expression and microbial community composition in the endangered coral Acropora cervicornis.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raymond Czaja Jr, Robert Holmberg, Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa, Daniel Hennen, Robert Cerrato, Kamazima Lwiza, Jennifer O'Dwyer, Brian Beal, Kassandra Root, Hannah Zuklie, Bassem Allam
Summary: This study examines the impacts of ocean warming and acidification on larval Atlantic surfclams. Results show that ocean warming increases feeding, growth and biomineralization, but decreases swimming speed and pelagic larval duration. Ocean acidification increases respiration but reduces immune performance and biomineralization. Additionally, changes in energy allocation and profiles of responses are observed under climate change.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Elliot Scanes, Pauline M. Ross, Justin R. Seymour, Nachshon Siboni, Michael C. Dove, Wayne A. O'Connor, Callum Dittes, Laura M. Parker
Summary: Ocean acidification can affect marine molluscs, but transgenerational plasticity may mitigate some effects. This study investigated how the microbiome can be influenced by transgenerational exposure to ocean acidification in Sydney Rock oysters. The results showed that parental exposure to elevated PCO2 altered the bacterial community composition in both eggs and larvae, with certain Rhodobacteraceae ASVs increasing or decreasing in abundance. These findings suggest that the transfer of maternal microbiomes to larvae is affected by exposure to ocean acidification and may contribute to transgenerational plasticity.
Article
Fisheries
Mitchell C. Gibbs, Laura M. Parker, Elliot Scanes, Maria Byrne, Wayne A. O'Connor, Pauline M. Ross
Summary: This study confirmed the role of transgenerational plasticity as an acclimatory mechanism for marine organisms to cope with climate change stress, but not all species can equally benefit from it and there are limitations to its effectiveness.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tye L. Kindinger, Jason A. Toy, Kristy J. Kroeker
Summary: Understanding how ocean acidification and warming affect consumption rates of predators and herbivores in marine ecosystems is crucial for predicting responses to global change. Studies show that both OA and warming can directly impact consumers, but there is high variability in consumption rates, likely due to species adaptation and methodological differences. Exposure to OA may reduce consumption rates on average, but rates can increase when both consumers and their resources are exposed to the same conditions concurrently.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Oliver Knebel, Carlos Carvajal, Christopher D. Standish, Elwyn de la Vega, Thomas B. Chalk, Emma J. Ryan, Weifu Guo, Murray Ford, Gavin L. Foster, Paul Kench
Summary: Coral resilience to ocean acidification is largely determined by the physiological control corals have over their calcifying fluid carbonate chemistry. A study on a Porites colony on Kiritimati Island in the equatorial central Pacific showed that calcifying fluid pH is primarily regulated by seawater temperature, with diurnal variability in seawater pH on the reef flat having only limited impact on coral calcifying fluid pH.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Blanca Figuerola, Huw J. Griffiths, Malgorzata Krzeminska, Anna Piwoni-Piorewicz, Anna Iglikowska, Piotr Kuklinski
Summary: The Southern Ocean is responding rapidly to human-induced global change, and serves as a valuable indicator for the impact of ocean warming and acidification on marine species and ecosystems. The authors provide the largest carbonate mineralogical dataset for Southern Ocean bryozoans, highlighting their potential as effective monitors for studying the effects of ocean warming and acidification. They find that bryozoan mineralogy changes significantly with decreasing latitudes and increasing seawater temperature, suggesting that seawater temperature may be a significant driver of global variations in bryozoan mineralogy.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Louise P. Cameron, Claire E. Reymond, Jelle Bijma, Janina Buescher, Dirk De Beer, Maxence Guillermic, Robert A. Eagle, John Gunnell, Fiona Mueller-Lundin, Gertraud M. Schmidt-Grieb, Isaac Westfield, Hildegard Westphal, Justin B. Ries
Summary: This study investigates the complex responses of corals to global change. The results suggest that tropical corals exhibit a reduced calcification response to increased pCO(2) when they lose their symbionts under high-temperature treatments. In contrast, a cold-water coral shows a negative calcification response to increasing pCO(2), which is partially alleviated under elevated temperature. All corals are able to elevate the pH of their calcifying fluid under increased pCO(2).
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Damon Britton, Craig N. Mundy, Fanny Noisette, Christina M. McGraw, Catriona L. Hurd, Joanna Norkko
Summary: Research shows that crustose coralline algae (CCA) respond negatively to low and medium emissions scenarios of warming and acidification, and may be adversely affected by 2030 if current emissions persist. Significant declines in growth rates and increases in bleaching were observed in the high emission scenario. These findings underscore the urgent need to take action to protect CCA and the valuable ecosystem services they provide.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Fisheries
Fangfang Yang, Zhangliang Wei, Lijuan Long
Summary: Calcification by calcified marine macroalgae is crucial for algal growth and coral reef formation, but is vulnerable to changes in global climate. Studies on the mechanisms of macroalgal calcification are limited, but new approaches such as genomics offer avenues for new understandings.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Baskaran Abirami, Manikkam Radhakrishnan, Subramanian Kumaran, Aruni Wilson
Summary: Global warming has various effects on ocean ecosystems, including temperature, acidification, oxygen content, circulation, stratification, and nutrient inputs, posing a serious threat to the metabolism and distribution of marine microbes and affecting the overall ecosystem functioning.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Angus Mitchell, David J. Booth, Ivan Nagelkerken
Summary: The study found that ocean acidification reduced shoal cohesion, with mixed-species shoals showing lower cohesion than temperate-only shoals under climate stressors. Tropical fish became bolder under ocean acidification, while temperate fish became bolder with increasing temperature, but ocean acidification dampened the boldness of temperate fish.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Kennedy Wolfe, Dione J. Deaker, Alexia Graba-Landry, Curtis Champion, Sophie Dove, Raymond Lee, Maria Byrne
Summary: Tropical calcium carbonate sediments are predicted to be more sensitive to ocean acidification, potentially impacting the abundance of infaunal organisms. Research suggests that the deposit-feeding sea cucumber, S. herrmanni, may influence surface-sediment meiofauna and microphytes under current and future ocean pH conditions, affecting the functioning of coral reef ecosystems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tyler J. Carrier, Brittany A. Leigh, Dione J. Deaker, Hannah R. Devens, Gregory A. Wray, Seth R. Bordenstein, Maria Byrne, Adam M. Reitzel
Summary: Animal gastrointestinal tracts harbor a microbiome that is crucial to host function, but some species have evolved a reduced or completely lost digestive system. Research in sea urchins reveals that the lack of a functional gut corresponds to reduced microbial community diversity and abundance, along with a diet-specific microbiome. Additionally, it is found that sea urchins transmit a Rickettsiales that may influence host nutrition and reproduction.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Mos, Ceylena Holloway, Brendan P. Kelaher, Isaac R. Santos, Symon A. Dworjanyn
Summary: The study compared the effects of preservation and storage methods on the total alkalinity of different water samples. Borosilicate glass may elevate alkalinity, while treatment with HgCl2 may lead to a reduction. It is recommended to filter water samples to 0.45 micrometers and store them in polypropylene vials to avoid uncertainties and risks associated with the use of borosilicate glassware and HgCl2.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nina Bednarsek, Piero Calosi, Richard A. Feely, Richard Ambrose, Maria Byrne, Kit Yu Karen Chan, Sam Dupont, Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamino, John Spicer, Faycal Kessouri, Miranda Roethler, Martha Sutula, Stephen B. Weisberg
Summary: This study identified critical thresholds for the vulnerability of marine invertebrates to ocean acidification, focused on echinoderms in the California Current Ecosystem. The thresholds ranged from early warning to lethal impacts, providing a foundation for consistent interpretation of ocean acidification monitoring data and simulations to support climate change vulnerability assessments and ocean management strategies.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mitchell C. Gibbs, Laura M. Parker, Elliot Scanes, Maria Byrne, Wayne A. O'Connor, Pauline M. Ross
Summary: This study investigated the impact of ocean acidification on larval energetics of oysters and found that elevated p CO2 reduced survival, size, and lipid levels across all lipid classes. Larvae of Saccostrea glomerata were more impacted than Crassostrea gigas, especially when food was limited, highlighting concerns for their aquacultural status and ecological function.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jay J. Minuti, Maria Byrne, Deevesh A. Hemraj, Bayden D. Russell
Summary: The study revealed that heatwave conditions led to increased metabolic rates in sea urchins, but this increase was not accompanied by a corresponding rise in food consumption or fecal production. While food consumption did increase during the post-heatwave recovery period, likely to replenish an energy deficit, mortality still increased during this time due to latent effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Morgan S. Pratchett, Ciemon F. Caballes, Christopher Cvitanovic, Maia L. Raymundo, Russell C. Babcock, Mary C. Bonin, Yves-Marie Bozec, Deborah Burn, Maria Byrne, Carolina Castro-Sanguino, Carla C. M. Chen, Scott A. Condie, Zara-Louise Cowan, Dione J. Deaker, Amelia Desbiens, Lyndon M. Devantier, Peter J. Doherty, Peter C. Doll, Jason R. Doyle, Symon A. Dworjanyn, Katharina E. Fabricius, Michael D. E. Haywood, Karlo Hock, Anne K. Hoggett, Lone Hoj, John K. Keesing, Richard A. Kenchington, Bethan J. Lang, Scott D. Ling, Samuel A. Matthews, Hamish I. McCallum, Camille Mellin, Benjamin Mos, Cherie A. Motti, Peter J. Mumby, Richard J. W. Stump, Sven Uthicke, Lyle Vail, Kennedy Wolfe, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: Crown-of-thorns sea stars are well-studied coral reef organisms known for major population irruptions causing significant coral loss in the Indo-Pacific. However, there are important knowledge gaps in their biology, ecology, and management. A study identified key research questions from experts to improve understanding and management of these sea stars on the Great Barrier Reef, focusing on themes like demography and management.
BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Biology
Dione J. Deaker, Regina Balogh, Symon A. Dworjanyn, Benjamin Mos, Maria Byrne
Summary: Crown-of-thorns sea stars exhibit different defensive behaviors, such as curling their arms over their oral side and forming a spine ball, during righting and in response to natural enemies. These behaviors indicate that they use their spines to protect the soft tissue of their oral side.
BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shawna A. Foo, Christopher H. Teague, Gregory P. Asner
Summary: Increases in sea surface temperature can impact animal metabolism, leading to changes in benthic structure and the balance between algae and coral. A study in Hawai'i investigated the effects of annual sea surface temperature anomalies on benthic cover and herbivore density. The results showed that warming disrupted the normal relationship between herbivores and benthic cover, and increased algal turf cover was associated with increased herbivore density.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gregory P. Asner, Nicholas R. Vaughn, Roberta E. Martin, Shawna A. Foo, Joseph Heckler, Brian J. Neilson, Jamison M. Gove
Summary: Corals are important habitat-building organisms in tropical reefs, supporting a quarter of all ocean species and providing ecosystem services to millions of people. However, marine heat waves threaten coral reefs by killing individual colonies and reducing diversity. This study used aerial imaging spectroscopy to monitor coral mortality during a major heat wave in Hawaii, and found that certain reefs had lower coral loss and therefore may serve as refugia. Human and environmental factors, such as coastal development and sedimentation levels, played a role in differentiating resilient reefs from more vulnerable ones.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Reina J. Veenhof, Symon A. Dworjanyn, Curtis Champion, Melinda Ann Coleman
Summary: Kelp forests are declining globally and often replaced by algal turfs dominated by turfing algae. This study examines the effects of grazing pressure on kelp gametophytes by a gastropod micrograzer present in turf. The results show that grazing reduces gametophyte coverage and abundance, with no significant temperature effect on grazing rates. Despite surviving ingestion, gametophyte recovery is hindered at elevated temperatures. These findings highlight the complex interactions in the micro-habitat of kelp gametophytes, shedding light on the factors influencing transitions between kelp forests and algal turfs.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Amelia A. A. Desbiens, Peter J. J. Mumby, Symon Dworjanyn, Eva E. Plaganyi, Sven Uthicke, Kennedy Wolfe
Summary: This study investigated the predators of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) and found 26 novel predators, but only 10 species regularly consumed juvenile CoTS. Most predation resulted in severed bodies and missing arms, rather than total consumption. The research highlights the importance of predators during the juvenile stage in controlling CoTS populations.
Article
Biology
Benjamin Mos, Naomi Mesic, Symon A. Dworjanyn
Summary: The variable food supply in future ocean conditions affects the growth and development of Acanthaster sp. starfish larvae, indicating that the success of this species depends on phytoplankton abundance. Phytoplankton abundance is decreasing and becoming more variable due to ocean climate changes. The survival, development, and growth of larval crown-of-thorns starfish are influenced by low, high, and variable phytoplankton food supply, as well as by warming and acidification.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Shawna A. Foo, Marco Munari, Maria Cristina Gambi, Maria Byrne
Summary: As the ocean warms, the thermal tolerance of marine invertebrates plays a key role in determining their distributional change. Comparison of sea urchin progeny from low pH-acclimated and ambient pH populations showed that low pH acclimation did not impact the broad thermal tolerance of the sea urchin, indicating its potential as an important ecological engineer in a changing ocean.
Article
Ecology
Katja J. Geiger, Julio Arrontes, Antonella Rivera, Consolacion Fernandez, Jorge Alvarez, Jose Luis Acuna
Summary: A two-year experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of Pollicipes pollicipes harvest on intertidal community structure and ecological diversity. The study found that intensive exploitation resulted in a decrease in P. pollicipes and Mytilus spp. coverage, while Chthamalus spp. and Corallina spp. increased. The recovery of P. pollicipes aggregations was slow and variable, but their coverage increased under non-extracted conditions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Castro Martignago, Leandro Godoy, Amanda Pereira Amaral, Guendalina Turcato Oliveira
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of bleaching on the oocytes of the Mussismilia harttii coral and investigates the strategies employed by these cells to maintain antioxidant balance and cellular homeostasis. The research finds that bleached coral oocytes experience lipid damage, but are still able to maintain their quality and potentially elongate their lifespan and fertilization capability. This response may be linked to an intensification of heterotrophy in bleached corals.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2024)