Effects of high CO sub(2) seawater on the copepod (Acartia tsuensis) through all life stages and subsequent generations

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 56; no. 6; pp. 1086 - 1090
• Main Authors: Kurihara, H, Ishimatsu, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2008
• Subjects: Acartia tsuensis; Echinoidea; Marine
• ISSN: 0025-326X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.03.023

We studied the effects of exposure to seawater equilibrated with CO sub(2)-enriched air (CO sub(2) 2380ppm) from eggs to maturity and over two subsequent generations on the copepod Acartia tsuensis. Compared to the control (CO sub(2) 380ppm), high CO sub(2) exposure through all life stages of the 1st generation copepods did not significantly affect survival, body size or developmental speed. Egg production and hatching rates were also not significantly different between the initial generation of females exposed to high CO sub(2) and the 1st and 2nd generation females developed from eggs to maturity in high CO sub(2). Thus, the copepods appear more tolerant to increased CO sub(2) than other marine organisms previously investigated for CO sub(2) tolerance (i.e., sea urchins and bivalves). However, the crucial importance of copepods in marine ecosystems requires thorough evaluation of the overall impacts of marine environmental changes predicted to occur with increased CO sub(2) concentrations, i.e., increased temperature, enhanced UV irradiation, and changes in the community structure and nutritional value of phytoplankton.