University Calendar
Effects of Elevated CO2 on the Early Life-Stages of Marine Fishes and Potential Consequences of Ocean Acidification
Dr. Christopher Chambers
NOAA-Fisheries, Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory
Elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the acidification of Earth’s oceans are due largely to absorption by seawater of anthropogenic sources of atmospheric CO2, especially from fossil fuel combustion. Evidence available about CO2 effects in fish suggests that they differ across species and perhaps populations, and may interact with other stressors. Further, these differences may also be associated with life@history strategies, habitat use, and parental exposure. Today’s seminar summarizes experimental work from NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center Howard Laboratory on the effects of high CO2 on two species of flatfish from the Northwest Atlantic, winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes-americanus, and summer flounder, Paralichthys-dentatus, that differ in life history and habitat use. Population and species differences in early life@stage responses to elevated CO2 may influence the adaptation potential and persistence of these species at predicted levels of near-future climate change.