Effects of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion on Marine Organisms

Stratospheric ozone depletion is causing UV-B radiation to reach aquatic environments. Experiments have illustrated the damage caused by this radiation to small animals such as juvenile fish and shrimp larvae which are essential to the aquatic food web. Damaging effects include decreased growth, sur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental conservation 1989, Vol.16 (3), p.261-263
Main Authors: Worrest, Robert C., Häder, Donat-P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Brackish
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Environmental agencies
Fish larvae
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
Marine and brackish environment
Marine ecosystems
Marine organisms
Ozone
Ozone depletion
Plants
Radiation damage
Radiation dosage
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS
Solar radiation
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Summary:Stratospheric ozone depletion is causing UV-B radiation to reach aquatic environments. Experiments have illustrated the damage caused by this radiation to small animals such as juvenile fish and shrimp larvae which are essential to the aquatic food web. Damaging effects include decreased growth, survival and reproductive capacity. Phytoplankton, which is an essential carbon-fixing organism, is especially at risk due to its restriction to the upper layers of the ocean environment. Hopefully gene pools within species are variable enough to the gradual change in UV-B radiation. Possible effects on aquatic ecosystems include reduction of biodiversity, reduction in biomass production, and decreased nitrogen assimilation.
ISSN:0376-8929
1469-4387
DOI:10.1017/S0376892900009358