Regeneration Rates of the Brittle Star Ophiocoma echinata Under Conditions of Near-Future Ocean Acidification and Temperature

• Main Author: Bruzek, Steven E.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Digital Commons @ University of South Florida 2014
• Subjects: 2014 USFSP Honors Program Thesis; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/honorstheses/163; https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1162&context=honorstheses

Ocean acidification is the result of uptake of atmospheric CO2 in the oceans. Anthropogenic CO2 emissions have increased rapidly since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Along with an increase in acidity, the ocean’s average temperature is rising from global warming. This study investigates the near-future (year 2100) effects of acidification and temperature on regeneration rates of the brittle star Ophiocoma echinata. Using HCl to induce acidification, regeneration rates for near-future conditions (pH 7.8 and temperature 30°C) did not decrease significantly from present conditions. Regeneration increased significantly with an increase in temperature alone, suggesting a complex interaction between temperature and acidity.