Acid-base adjustments and first evidence of denticle corrosion caused by ocean acidification conditions in a demersal shark species
Abstract Global ocean acidification is expected to chronically lower the pH to 7.3 (>2200 µatm seawater p CO 2 ) by the year 2300. Acute hypercapnia already occurs along the South African west and south coasts due to upwelling- and low-oxygen events, with increasing frequency. In the present...
| Published in: | Scientific Reports |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54795-7 http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-54795-7.pdf http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-54795-7 |
| Summary: | Abstract Global ocean acidification is expected to chronically lower the pH to 7.3 (>2200 µatm seawater p CO 2 ) by the year 2300. Acute hypercapnia already occurs along the South African west and south coasts due to upwelling- and low-oxygen events, with increasing frequency. In the present project we investigated the impact of hypercapnia on the endemic demersal shark species Haploblepharus edwardsii . Specifically, we experimentally analysed acid-base regulation during acute and chronic hypercapnia, the effects of chronic hypercapnia on growth rates and on denticle structure- and composition. While H. edwardsii are physiologically well adapted to acute and chronic hypercapnia, we observed, for the first time, denticle corrosion as a result of chronic exposure. We conclude that denticle corrosion could increase denticle turnover and compromise hydrodynamics and skin protection. |
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