Biological Affects of Alkalinity Addition as a Mitigation Strategy to Ocean Acidification on the European Shore Crab Carcinus maenas

• Main Author: Webb, Gemma L
• Other Authors: Faculty of Science and Technology
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Plymouth 2010
• Subjects: Calcium hydroxide; Geochemical sequestration; Ocean acidification; Acid‐base balance; Carcinus maenas
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10026.2/1569

This study was conducted to provide an initial understanding of the ecological impacts in using calcium hydroxide (CaOH2) as a mitigation strategy for ocean acidification. This was assessed through the acute exposure of the European shore crab, Carcinus maenas, to two ecological relevant concentrations of CaOH2; 0.28mmoll‐1 and 0.54mmoll‐1, which correspond to the concentrations needed to raise ocean pH back to the global average in 2100 and 2300. Both sexes and two maturity stages of C.maenas were used during this study. Acute exposure to both concentrations caused significant impact on all individuals’ acid‐base balance; this impact was greater in mature individuals compared to immature individuals and mature females expressed a greater vulnerability than males. Significant implications of how this mitigation strategy could be implemented as well as potential for further research are discussed within this paper Faculty of Science and Technology