An Introduction to Ocean Acidification and Temperature Changes on Physiological Trade-Off of Intertidal Marine Gastropods.

Abstract

Due to an equilibration of partial pressure of CO 2 (pCO 2 ) in the atmosphere, 30% of its concentration has been absorbed by ocean and making it more acidic and generate potential global warming. Future changes of ocean pH and temperature are predicted to impact biodiversity of marine ecosystems, particularly those animals that rely on calcification process. Reduced pH will induce dissolution rates of calcium mineral particularly aragonites and calcites and that alter decalcification rates. The reduction of pH also disrupts acid base balance and metabolic rates that lead to metabolic depression whilst increase temperature affects organisms' thermo-tolerance capacity. Even though decreased metabolic rates were associated with metabolic depression, a strategy to match oxygen demand and availability, however prolong exposure to these stressors have affected growth, survival and reproduction rates. In addition, increase CO 2 and temperature have also magnitude end-product metabolites such as succinic and lactic acids and reduced energy nucleotides (adenosine 5-triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate and adenosine monophosphate) in the cells, indicating an increased reliance on anaerobic metabolism.