EcoEarth.Info News Archive
Non-profit environment news archive provided on these terms to help find solutions and for posterity
|
Rate
|
Email Article to Friend
|
Printer Friendly
|
Disclaimer & Conditions for Use
|
Share on Facebook
Bigger Sea Creatures, Like Squid, May Feel Effects of Higher CO2
Source: Copyright 2008, New York Times
Date: December 23, 2008
Byline: Henry Fountain
Original URL
Increased emissions of carbon dioxide affect more than the atmosphere. Much of the CO2 is absorbed by the oceans, causing them to become more acidic.
Recent research has looked at the impact of the acidification on corals and other small calcifying organisms. But increasing CO2, coupled with gradual warming of the oceans, may have other effects, and may affect bigger creatures, because there will be less oxygen at the surface and deep oxygen-poor zones will expand vertically.
A study in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences looks at the potential effects on one of those bigger creatures, the Humboldt squid, which can be six feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds. Rui Rosa and Brad A. Seibel of the University of Rhode Island put squid in a flow-through respirometer that allowed measurements of metabolism while concentrations of gases in the water were changed.
Near the surface, these creatures demand a lot of oxygen, partly because they are always on the hunt for fish and their respiratory and propulsion systems are of limited efficiency. They migrate at night to deeper, oxygen-poor waters, where their metabolism slows and they can recover.
The researchers ...
Rate Article: 1 (Worst) to 10 (Best) |
Search the Internet with EcoEarth.Info's Search Engine for more information on: 'carbon ocean marine life'
EcoEarth.Info users agree to the site disclaimer as a condition for use.