The impact of ocean acidification on the byssal threads of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Dickey, Grant M.; Preziosi, Brian M.; Clark, Charles T.; Bowden, Timothy J.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205908

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Mussel attachment strength is the product of byssal thread number and quality, both of which have been shown to vary with environmental conditions. For example, elevated pCO 2 (>1200 μatm) lowers thread strength in Mytilus trossulus (O'Donnell et al ., 2013; George and Carrington, 2018), thread strength and production in Mytilus coruscus and Pinctada fucata (Zhao et al ., 2017; Li et al ., 2017; Kong et al ., 2019), and thread strength in Mytilus edulis (Kong et al ., 2019, but see Dickey et al ., 2018). However, there is little consensus when whole animal attachment is measured, with negative, neutral, and positive effects of elevated pCO 2 observed in Mytilus galloprovincialis , M. edulis, Xenostrobus securis , and M. coruscus , respectively (Babarro et al ., 2018; Clements et al ., 2018; Sui et al ., 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Only as strong as the weakest link: structural analysis of the combined effects of elevated temperature and pCO2 on mussel attachment

Newcomb

George

O’Donnell

et al. 2019

Conservation Physiology

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Predicting how combinations of stressors will affect failure risk is a key challenge for the field of ecomechanics and, more generally, ecophysiology. Environmental conditions often influence the manufacture and durability of biomaterials, inducing structural failure that potentially compromises organismal reproduction, growth, and survival. Species known for tight linkages between structural integrity and survival include bivalve mussels, which produce numerous byssal threads to attach to hard substrate. Among the current environmental threats to marine organisms are ocean warming and acidification. Elevated pCO2 exposure is known to weaken byssal threads by compromising the strength of the adhesive plaque. This study uses structural analysis to evaluate how an additional stressor, elevated temperature, influences byssal thread quality and production. Mussels (Mytilus trossulus) were placed in controlled temperature and pCO2 treatments, and then, newly produced threads were counted and pulled to failure to determine byssus strength. The effects of elevated temperature on mussel attachment were dramatic; mussels produced 60% weaker and 65% fewer threads at 25°C in comparison to 10°C. These effects combine to weaken overall attachment by 64–88% at 25°C. The magnitude of the effect of pCO2 on thread strength was substantially lower than that of temperature and, contrary to our expectations, positive at high pCO2 exposure. Failure mode analysis localized the effect of temperature to the proximal region of the thread, whereas pCO2 affected only the adhesive plaques. The two stressors therefore act independently, and because their respective target regions are interconnected (resisting tension in series), their combined effects on thread strength are exactly equal to the effect of the strongest stressor. Altogether, these results show that mussels, and the coastal communities they support, may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of ocean warming than ocean acidification.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Only as strong as the weakest link: structural analysis of the combined effects of elevated temperature and pCO2 on mussel attachment

Newcomb

George

O’Donnell

et al. 2019

Conservation Physiology

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“…Calcification rates of the larval, juvenile and adult stages of C. virginica will be hindered under the acidic conditions expected to occur within the next century (Miller et al 2009;Ries et al 2009;Waldbusser et al 2011). Larval growth, calcification rates and overall health of M. edulis will be inhibited during this same time period (Gazeau et al 2007;Beesley et al 2008;Gazeau et al 2010), but several studies (Beesley et al 2008;Thomsen & Melzner, 2010;Dickey et al 2018) suggest that M. edulis metabolism, tissue condition and thread production will not be affected. In contrast, studies with Mytilus trossulus (Gould 1850) on the U.S. Washington coast found that byssal thread number and attachment strength were negatively affected by higher temperature (25°C versus 10°C) and secreted adhesives did not cure well at pH < 8 (O'Donnell et al 2013; George & Carrington 2018;Newcomb et al 2019).…”

Section: Acidification Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2008; Thomsen & Melzner, 2010; Dickey et al . 2018) suggest that M. edulis metabolism, tissue condition and thread production will not be affected. In contrast, studies with Mytilus trossulus (Gould 1850) on the U.S. Washington coast found that byssal thread number and attachment strength were negatively affected by higher temperature (25°C versus 10°C) and secreted adhesives did not cure well at pH < 8 (O’Donnell et al .…”

Section: Resilience Of the Aquaculture Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Resilience of cold water aquaculture: a review of likely scenarios as climate changes in the Gulf of Maine

Bricknell

Birkel

Brawley

et al. 2020

Reviews in Aquaculture

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Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing development and continuation of sustainable aquaculture in temperate regions. We primarily consider the ecological and physical resilience of aquaculture in the Gulf of Maine (GoM), where a thriving industry includes marine algae, extensive and intensive shellfish aquaculture, and a well-established Atlantic salmon industry, as well as the infrastructure required to support these economically important ventures. The historical record of sea surface temperature in the GoM, estimated from gridded, interpolated in situ measurements, shows considerable interannual and decade-scale variability superimposed on an overall warming trend. Climate model projections of sea surface temperature indicate that the surface waters in the GoM could warm 0.5-3.5°C beyond recent values by the year 2100. This suggests that, while variability will continue, anomalous warmth of marine heatwaves that have been observed in the past decade could become the norm in the GoM ca. 2050, but with the most significant impacts to existing aquaculture along the southernmost region of the coast. We consider adaptations leading to aquacultural resilience despite the effects of warming, larger numbers of harmful nonindigenous species (including pathogens and parasites), acidification, sea-level rise, and more frequent storms and storm surges. Some new species will be needed, but immediate attention to adapt existing species (e.g. preserve/define wild biodiversity, breed for temperature tolerance and incorporate greater husbandry) and aquaculture infrastructure can be successful. We predict that these measures and continued collaboration between industry, stakeholders, government and researchers will lead to sustaining a vibrant working waterfront in the GoM.

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Ocean acidification alters anti-predator responses in a competitive dominant intertidal mussel

et al. 2022

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The impact of ocean acidification on the byssal threads of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Cited by 15 publications

References 28 publications

Only as strong as the weakest link: structural analysis of the combined effects of elevated temperature and pCO2 on mussel attachment

Only as strong as the weakest link: structural analysis of the combined effects of elevated temperature and pCO2 on mussel attachment

Resilience of cold water aquaculture: a review of likely scenarios as climate changes in the Gulf of Maine

Ocean acidification alters anti-predator responses in a competitive dominant intertidal mussel

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