Effects of ocean acidification on the precious Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum)

• Main Authors: Bramanti, Lorenzo, Movilla, Juan Ignacio, Calvo, Eva María, Gori, Andrea, Dominguez-Carrió, Carlos, Grinyó, Jordi, López-Sanz, Àngel, Martínez-Quintana, A., Pelejero, Carles, Ziveri, Patrizia
• Format: Report
• Language: unknown
• Published: International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea 2013
• Subjects: Mediterranean Ridge; Cnidaria; pH; Conservation; Global change; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/113138

Bramanti, L. . et. al.-- 40th CIESM Congress: The largest Forum on Mediterranean and Black Sea Research, 28 October - 1 November 2013, Marseille, France.-- 1 page Corallium rubrum is an octocoral endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Slow growing and long living, it has been harvested since ancient times determining overexploitation due to the high economic value of axial skeleton. Moreover the Mg rich calcite skeleton make it vulnerable to ocean acidification. To understand the effects of elevated pCO2, colonies of C. rubrum were maintained for 314 days in aquarium tanks at 2 pH levels (8,16 and 7,84). Buoyant weight, biochemical balance (protein, carbohydrates and lipids) and spicules morphology were measured. Buoyant weight increment was significantly different between controls and acidified treatment. Aberrant spicule shapes were observed only in acidified treatments. Total organic matter was higher in acidified treatments while no difference was found in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins contents Peer Reviewed