TOKYO, Sept. 18 -- JAMSTEC issued the following news:
1. Key Points
As ocean acidification worsens, concerns over its effects on calcifying organisms 1, including shellfish and coral, are increasing. To date, research has been unable to quantify the impact of ocean acidification on calcifying organisms, largely because of their incredibly small shells.
In the present study, mollusk larvae with tiny shells measuring approximately 0.1 mm were raised in an environment designed to simulate severe ocean acidification. Subsequently, a high-resolution microfocus X-ray computed tomography (MXCT) 2 scanner was used to obtain three-dimensional measurements of the shells. For the first time, globally, changes in shell morphology, in terms of reduced shell thickness, size, and density, were quantified precisely.
In addition, gene expression in genomic domains involved in shell formation was reduced significantly, which marks a significant step toward comprehensive understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on organisms, with respect to biological responses and the impact on shells.
The methodology employed in the present study could also be applied to other organisms with calcified shells or skeletons, such as bivalves and corals. Such studies could facilitate environmental impact assessment, marine conservation, and fisheries resource management in future.
The rest of the document can be viewed at https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/press_release/20250918/
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
