Publication Date:
2023-01-31
Description:
Anthropogenic CO2 emissions will lead to an increased average ocean pCO2 of potentially 1900 ppm (ca. 0.2 kPa) by the year 2300 (Caldeira and Wickett 2003). Associated shifts in carbonate system speciation will cause ocean pH to fall by a maximum of 0.5–0.8 units. Most existing studies suggest that organisms/taxa with high standard metabolic rates, highly sophisticated convection systems and efficient gas exchange organs are coping best with elevated ocean pCO2. Typically, these taxa (decapod crustaceans, and cephalopods) are able to rapidly compensate extracellular pH by accumulating large amounts of bicarbonate. The underlying molecular machinery for this accumulatory response is still largely unknown for most marine invertebrate taxa. Thus, we will briefly review (a) acid-base regulatory responses in a range of marine invertebrates (bivalves, echinoderms, crustacea, and cephalopoda) and then (b) highlight and discuss their main ion-regulatory organs and potential acid-base regulatory proteins. In addition, we will present results from ongoing gene expression studies that specifically target transcripts relevant for ion- and acid-base regulation in the gill of the cephalopod Sepia officinalis, the crustacean Carcinus maenas and pluteus larvae of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus in response to environmental hypercapnia.
Type:
Article
,
PeerReviewed
Format:
text
