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Sensitivities of extant animal taxa to ocean acidification

Author

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  • Astrid C. Wittmann

    (Integrative Ecophysiology, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung)

  • Hans-O. Pörtner

    (Integrative Ecophysiology, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung)

Abstract

Anthropogenic CO2 emitted to the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans, causing a progressive increase in ocean inorganic carbon concentrations and resulting in decreased water pH and calcium carbonate saturation. This phenomenon, called ocean acidification, is in addition to the warming effects of CO2 emissions. Ocean acidification has been reported to affect ocean biota, but the severity of this threat to ocean ecosystems (and humans depending on these ecosystems) is poorly understood. Here we evaluate the scale of this threat in the context of widely used representative concentration pathways (RCPs) by analysing the sensitivities of five animal taxa (corals, echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans and fishes) to a wide range of CO2 concentrations. Corals, echinoderms and molluscs are more sensitive to RCP8.5 (936 ppm in 2100) than are crustaceans. Larval fishes may be even more sensitive than the lower invertebrates, but taxon sensitivity on evolutionary timescales remains obscure. The variety of responses within and between taxa, together with observations in mesocosms and palaeo-analogues, suggest that ocean acidification is a driver for substantial change in ocean ecosystems this century, potentially leading to long-term shifts in species composition.

Suggested Citation

  • Astrid C. Wittmann & Hans-O. Pörtner, 2013. "Sensitivities of extant animal taxa to ocean acidification," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(11), pages 995-1001, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:3:y:2013:i:11:d:10.1038_nclimate1982
    DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1982
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    Cited by:

    1. Rostern Tembo, 2024. "Will Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Lead to the Massive Death of Marine Organisms?," Environment and Pollution, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(1), pages 1-41, March.
    2. Laura Scherer & İrem Gürdal & Peter M. van Bodegom, 2022. "Characterization factors for ocean acidification impacts on marine biodiversity," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 2069-2079, December.
    3. Nan Hu & Paul E. Bourdeau & Johan Hollander, 2024. "Responses of marine trophic levels to the combined effects of ocean acidification and warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Almendra Rodriguez-Dominguez & Sean D. Connell & Ericka O. C. Coni & Minami Sasaki & David J. Booth & Ivan Nagelkerken, 2022. "Phenotypic responses in fish behaviour narrow as climate ramps up," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Miho Ishizu & Yasumasa Miyazawa & Tomohiko Tsunoda & Xinyu Guo, 2019. "Development of a Biogeochemical and Carbon Model Related to Ocean Acidification Indices with an Operational Ocean Model Product in the North Western Pacific," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-28, May.
    6. Katharina Alter & Juliette Jacquemont & Joachim Claudet & María E. Lattuca & María E. Barrantes & Stefano Marras & Patricio H. Manríquez & Claudio P. González & Daniel A. Fernández & Myron A. Peck & C, 2024. "Hidden impacts of ocean warming and acidification on biological responses of marine animals revealed through meta-analysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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