The combined effects of ocean acidification and copper on the physiological responses of the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata

A decrease in ocean pH of 0.3 units will likely double the proportion of dissolved copper (Cu) present as the free metal ion, Cu2+, the most bioavailable form of Cu, and one of the most common marine pollutants. We assess the impact of ocean acidification and Cu, separately and in combination, on ca...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine environmental research 2022-04, Vol.176, p.105610, Article 105610
Main Authors: Cryer, S.E., Schlosser, C., Allison, N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acidification
Animals
Anthozoa - physiology
Bioavailability
Calcification
Calcification, Physiologic
Carbon dioxide
Colonies
Copper
Copper - toxicity
Coral
Coral Reefs
Corals
Heavy metals
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Marine invertebrates
Marine pollution
Metal ions
Ocean acidification
Photosynthesis
Physiological effects
Physiological responses
Pollutants
Respiration
Seawater
Stylophora pistillata
Tropical climate
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Summary:A decrease in ocean pH of 0.3 units will likely double the proportion of dissolved copper (Cu) present as the free metal ion, Cu2+, the most bioavailable form of Cu, and one of the most common marine pollutants. We assess the impact of ocean acidification and Cu, separately and in combination, on calcification, photosynthesis and respiration of sub-colonies of a single tropical Stylophora pistillata colony. After 15 days of treatment, total calcification rates were significantly decreased in corals exposed to high seawater pCO2 (∼1000-μatm, 2100 scenario) and at both ambient (1.6–1.9 nmols) and high (2.5–3.6 nmols) dissolved Cu concentrations compared to controls. The effect was increased when both stressors were combined. Coral respiration rates were significantly reduced by the combined stressors after 2 weeks of exposure, indicating the importance of experiment duration. It is therefore likely rising atmospheric CO2 will exacerbate the negative effects of Cu pollution to S. pistillata. •Exposure to increased Cu concentrations suppressed coral calcification.•Calcification was suppressed further when exposed to Cu under high pCO2.•Respiration decreased after two weeks when stressors were applied in combination.
ISSN:0141-1136
1879-0291
DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105610