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Meeting Abstract
Environmental perturbations, both natural and man-made have consequences on the growth, behavior and ecology of marine organisms. Ocean acidification is a consequence of elevated atmospheric CO2 and may impact the calcification and growth of shallow sub-tidal benthic invertebrates. This experiment shows the effect of two levels of increased CO2 on the regeneration of brittle star limbs. Three CO2 levels (control, elevated and high) resulted in pH differences in aquaria-based treatments: control CO2 pH ~8, elevated CO2 pH ~7.5, and high CO2 pH ~7. These pH levels reflect those reported by IPCC estimates. Ten brittle stars, each with one arm surgically removed, were placed in each of nine aquaria in a Latin square design. Temperature, salinity, pH levels, dissolved oxygen, and CO2 pressure were monitored daily and animals were fed every third day. After one month, the dry weight and ash free dry weight of regenerated and non-regenerated portions of each individual were determined. Increased acidity and CO2 levels resulted in increased in arm regeneration and a decrease in overall body mass. Ophiophragmus filograneus are able to utilize the additional CO2 despite the decrease in pH, but there appears to be a metabolic cost which decreases overall body mass.