Robustness of Adamussium colbecki shell to ocean acidification in a short-term exposure

• Published in: Marine environmental research Vol. 149; pp. 90 - 99
• Main Authors: Dell’Acqua, Ombretta, Trębala, Michal, Chiantore, Mariachiara, Hannula, Simo-Pekka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Acidification; Adamussium colbecki; Animal Shells - ultrastructure; Animals; Antarctic Regions; Antarctica; Aquatic Organisms; Benthos; Climate Change; Diamond pyramid hardness tests; Dominant species; Ecosystems; Electron microscopy; Endemic species; Environmental changes; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Littoral environments; Marine ecosystems; Marine molluscs; Marine organisms; Mechanical properties; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nanoindentation; Ocean acidification; Ocean surface; Pectinidae - ultrastructure; pH effects; Polar environments; Scanning electron microscopy; Seawater - chemistry; SEM; Shell; Surface water; Vickers; Antarctic Regions; Vickers; Shell; Nanoindentation; pH; Adamussium colbecki; Benthos; SEM; Antarctica; Ocean acidification
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.06.010

Atmospheric pCO2 has increased since the industrial revolution leading to a lowering of the ocean surface water pH, a phenomenon called ocean acidification (OA). OA is claimed to be a major threat for marine organisms and ecosystems and, particularly, for Polar regions. We explored the impact of OA on the shell mechanical properties of the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki exposed for one month to acidified (pH 7.6) and natural conditions (unmanipulated littoral water), by performing Scanning Electron Microscopy, nanoindentation and Vickers indentation on the scallop shell. No effect of pH could be detected either in crystal deposition or in the mechanical properties. A. colbecki shell was found to be resistant to OA, which suggests this species to be able to face a climate change scenario that may threat the persistence of the endemic Antarctic species. Further investigation should be carried out in order to elucidate the destiny of this key species in light of global change. •Adamussium colbecki shell crystals deposition is not affected by low pH exposure.•Adamussium colbecki shell resulted robust to low pH exposure in terms of micro and nano-mechanics.•Food availability and possible preadaptation may have enhanced A.colbecki shell resistance.