Elevated CO2 negatively affects marine fish. In a recirculating
aquaculture systems, we exposed juvenile Scophthalmus maximus, a
CO2¬-sensitive, high-value species , to CO2 at 0 mg/L (control), or at
8, 16, 24, or 32 mg/L, for 7, 14, 30, or 60 d. Cumulative survival
decreased significantly with increasing CO2 , to 68% at 32 mg/L. Weight
gain, specific growth rate, and feed conversion rate differed
significantly between the control and maximum concentration. CO2 caused
histopathological damage. Plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase and
glutamate oxalate transaminase were significantly and substantially
elevated at 24 and 32 mg/L CO¬2, relative to the control. At 32 mg/L,
hemoglobin was significantly reduced, and methemoglobin significantly
elevated , indicating reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. GHR, IGF-1,
IGF-1R, and THR expression were substantially lower at 32 mg/L than in
the control. For Scophthalmus maximus , these findings indicate that
elevated CO2 retards growth, impairs health, and causes metabolic
disorders, possibly by impairing liver function.