The Effects of Ocean Acidification on the Larval Shell Development and Calcification of the Red Abalone

Overview

Objectives/Goals This project focuses on the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2 and decreasing pH on the development and calcification of larval red abalone shells. Methods/Materials Female and male abalone were induced to spawn. Fertilized eggs were then siphoned into a beaker and a homogenous mixture of embryos was pipetted into each experimental bowl. There were 6 bowls per gas chamber. Four gas chambers were used: a control injected with 200 mL of air, one injected with 200 mL of 10% CO2, another injected with 400 mL of 10% CO2, and the fourth injected with 600 mL of 10% CO2. After 48 hours, final water quality measurements were taken. The larvae were transferred into culture flasks and examined under an inverted microscope. Results In the control chamber, 99.67% of the abalone developed normally. In the chamber injected with 200 mL CO2, 91.17% developed normally. 29.83% of the abalone in the 400 mL CO2 chamber developed normally, and only 1.33% developed normally in the 600 mL CO2 chamber. Conclusions/Discussion My hypothesis that increasing levels of CO2 and decreasing levels of pH would cause the abalone shells to develop abnormally was supported strongly by my results. These results clearly show that ocean acidification is impairing abalone growth and survival. This study is significant because red abalone are endangered, and the decrease in their populations has both environmental and economic effects.

Awards (1)

• Honorable Mention

Competition history

• CSEF 2012 Pharmacology/ Toxicology · Entry S1707

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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