Graduate research assistantship in ocean acidification impacts on bivalves

M.S. or Ph.D. position is available for a highly motivated student to study mechanisms of bivalve responses to ocean acidification. The student will work as part of a collaborative team of researchers at Oregon State University to investigate the dynamics of shell growth for various bivalve species in response to changes in carbonate chemistry. Applicants should have strong writing and analytical skills, broad interests in biogeochemical ecology and oceanography, and an M.S. if applying for a Ph.D. Any prior research experience in biomineralization or ocean acidification is extremely valuable. The applicant should also have prerequisite course work for applying to the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, at Oregon State University. Several years of support are available contingent upon positive annual evaluations and successful advancement towards degree.

Scientific figures from the Arctic

I came to the Arctic to test how ice melting and ocean acidification are changing the carbon chemistry of seawater. I also came in search for pteropods (Figure 1, see on the source post), to investigate whether and to what extent climate change is affecting ‘seawater butterflies’. These ethereal looking animals move in the water column following lunar cycles, are highly abundant in the Arctic, and an essential food supply to many fish species. Pteropods produce snail-like shells of aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate also produced by corals, which is highly susceptible to dissolution as oceans are becoming more acidic.

A phenomenon termed ocean acidification, which has taken place since the beginning of the industrial revolution, occurs when increased levels of CO2 enter seawater and react with water molecules to form carbonic acid. There is unquestionable evidence showing that the oceans are undergoing dramatic changes in the chemistry due to increasing amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) that humans are releasing into the atmosphere (Figure 2, , see on the source post). This process is affecting the formation of shells in pteropods and other organisms living in Antarctica and the question remains whether Arctic waters will also cause dissolution of pteropod aragonitic shells.

Opinion: Congress must address climate, ocean acid to keep strong fisheries

Commercial fishermen and their charter boat counterparts frequently find themselves on opposing sides of the table on a range of issues related to access and management of Alaska’s valuable fisheries resources.

As representatives of charter and commercial fishing organizations, we can attest that quarrels between our user groups are older than statehood. Indeed, we often express opposing views in public forums.

But on one issue we are in complete agreement: ocean acidification poses an imminent threat to our fisheries and our livelihoods. Here’s why.

Studies show organisms that produce calcium carbonate skeletons and shells, such as shellfish, mollusks and the plants that cement coral reefs, as well as microscopic plankton at the base of the ocean food chain, will face increasing difficulty making shell material as the oceans turn more acidic. If it gets bad enough, shells could literally dissolve.

L’acidification des mers menace coraux et coquillages (in French)

Les rejets croissants de CO2 ne perturbent pas seulement le climat, ils ont aussi un impact sur les océans.

Ischia, son port, ses plages, ses ruelles et ses chercheurs… Cette petite île italienne offre un terrain d’expérimentation exceptionnel pour les scientifiques. La qualité des eaux de la Méditerranée qui l’entourent préfigure en effet ce que pourrait devenir dans trente ou quarante ans une partie des océans: une biodiversité amputée d’un tiers, sans plus aucun coquillage ni corail.

En cause, l’acidification de l’eau, autrement dit une diminution du pH liée à une augmentation constante du dioxyde de carbone (CO2) dans l’atmosphère. «Depuis le début de l’ère industrielle, il y a environ 250 ans, les eaux de surface de l’océan montrent une tendance régulière et croissante à s’acidifier. La hausse est d’environ 30 %», explique Jean-Pierre Gattuso, directeur de recherche au laboratoire d’océanographie de Villefranche- sur-Mer (CNRS, université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie) avec une très nette accélération ces trente dernières années.