Nature & Environment
Invasive Marine Species Benefiting From High Carbon Dioxide Levels
Rosanna Singh
First Posted: Nov 06, 2015 04:35 PM EST
Researchers found that some invasive marine species are actually benefiting from ocean acidification, according to a study at the University of Plymouth in the UK.
The researchers found that invasive species of algae, crabs, shellfish and jellyfish are migrating into new areas of the planet where they have damaging effects to the new environments that they are inhabiting. The researchers also found that algae and jellyfish can thrive under acidic conditions.
"We are witnessing the spread of marine life that cause problems, such as toxic jellyfish blooms and rotting algal mats. We predict the problems associated with harmful marine life will get worse in response to rising CO2," Professor Jason Hall-Spencer, lead author of the study, said in a news release. "Pathogens like cholera do not recognize national borders, so seawater warming is a health issue for cities like London, and it remains to be seen which organisms will spread and cause problems as Arctic shipping routes open up."
The researchers found that "nuisance" species such as stinging jellyfish and Japanese kelp become adaptable as CO2 levels increase in the ocean. The researchers found that in the tropics corals reefs are faced with interconnected problems such as bleaching, spreading seaweed, invasive species, corrosion and disease as CO2 levels go up.
Also, there is a type of "killer algae" which is spreading worldwide. This type of algae thrives under high levels of CO2 and is so toxic that herbivores would rather die of starvation than to eat it. The researchers also found that American slipper limpets have spread to various parts of Europe, where it has become one of the 100 most invasive species. Likewise, the king-crabs' invasion of the northeast Atlantic and Pacific has had a major impact on oysters and scallops, which has had reduction in survival and growth.
"Observations show there will be winners as well as losers as CO2 levels ramp up, just as there were in previous mass extinctions," said Ro Allen, a researcher of the study. "The spread of harmful marine organisms should be factored into risks of rising CO2 emissions."
This study was published in Research and Reports in Biodiversity Studies.
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TagsOcean Acidification, Carbon Dioxide, invasive marine species, Algae, Jellyfish, acidic conditions, Ocean Acidification, University of Plymouth in the UK, Crabs, Shellfish, Environment, Marine Environment ©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
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First Posted: Nov 06, 2015 04:35 PM EST
Researchers found that some invasive marine species are actually benefiting from ocean acidification, according to a study at the University of Plymouth in the UK.
The researchers found that invasive species of algae, crabs, shellfish and jellyfish are migrating into new areas of the planet where they have damaging effects to the new environments that they are inhabiting. The researchers also found that algae and jellyfish can thrive under acidic conditions.
"We are witnessing the spread of marine life that cause problems, such as toxic jellyfish blooms and rotting algal mats. We predict the problems associated with harmful marine life will get worse in response to rising CO2," Professor Jason Hall-Spencer, lead author of the study, said in a news release. "Pathogens like cholera do not recognize national borders, so seawater warming is a health issue for cities like London, and it remains to be seen which organisms will spread and cause problems as Arctic shipping routes open up."
The researchers found that "nuisance" species such as stinging jellyfish and Japanese kelp become adaptable as CO2 levels increase in the ocean. The researchers found that in the tropics corals reefs are faced with interconnected problems such as bleaching, spreading seaweed, invasive species, corrosion and disease as CO2 levels go up.
Also, there is a type of "killer algae" which is spreading worldwide. This type of algae thrives under high levels of CO2 and is so toxic that herbivores would rather die of starvation than to eat it. The researchers also found that American slipper limpets have spread to various parts of Europe, where it has become one of the 100 most invasive species. Likewise, the king-crabs' invasion of the northeast Atlantic and Pacific has had a major impact on oysters and scallops, which has had reduction in survival and growth.
"Observations show there will be winners as well as losers as CO2 levels ramp up, just as there were in previous mass extinctions," said Ro Allen, a researcher of the study. "The spread of harmful marine organisms should be factored into risks of rising CO2 emissions."
This study was published in Research and Reports in Biodiversity Studies.
Related Articles
Hydrothermal Vents: Scientists Find Carbon-Removing Properties In Deep Sea
Only Four Percent Of The Ocean Is Protected, New Study Reveals
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone