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. 2014 Aug 28:4:6218.
doi: 10.1038/srep06218.

Ocean acidification impacts mussel control on biomineralisation

Susan C Fitzer  1 , Vernon R Phoenix  1 , Maggie Cusack  1 , Nicholas A Kamenos  1
Affiliations

Ocean acidification impacts mussel control on biomineralisation

Susan C Fitzer et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Ocean acidification is altering the oceanic carbonate saturation state and threatening the survival of marine calcifying organisms. Production of their calcium carbonate exoskeletons is dependent not only on the environmental seawater carbonate chemistry but also the ability to produce biominerals through proteins. We present shell growth and structural responses by the economically important marine calcifier Mytilus edulis to ocean acidification scenarios (380, 550, 750, 1000 µatm pCO2). After six months of incubation at 750 µatm pCO2, reduced carbonic anhydrase protein activity and shell growth occurs in M. edulis. Beyond that, at 1000 µatm pCO2, biomineralisation continued but with compensated metabolism of proteins and increased calcite growth. Mussel growth occurs at a cost to the structural integrity of the shell due to structural disorientation of calcite crystals. This loss of structural integrity could impact mussel shell strength and reduce protection from predators and changing environments.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Secondary electron images of new calcite growth in M. edulis shells after 6 months at 380, 550, 750 and 1000 µatm pCO2, (a, b) 380 µatm, (c, d) 550 µatm, (e, f) 750 µatm, and (g, h) 1000 µatm, scale bars presented in µm.
Images of uncoated samples acquired in environmental mode at 20 kV.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) crystallographic orientation calcite pole figure diagrams indicating the orientation angle of the calcite in the electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) images (a) 380 µatm, (b) 380 µatm 12°C, (c) 550 µatm, (d) 750 µatm, (e) 750 µatm 12°C, (f) 1000 µatm, (g) 1000 µatm 12°C.
Pole figures correspond to the calcite crystallographic orientation map colour key, gridlines represent 5° divisions of angular orientation. Note differences in the clustering and spread of the EBSD data provide information on the variability of the calcite crystal angles.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Secondary electron images of new calcite growth in M. edulis shells after 6 months at 380, 750 and 1000 µatm pCO2, all at ambient plus 2°C temperature, (a, b) 380 µatm, (c, d) 750 µatm, and (e, f) 1000 µatm, scale bars presented in µm.
Images of uncoated samples acquired in environmental mode at 20 kV.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Shell growth at 6 months experimental culture (mm).
(a). Shell length increase for each pCO2 and temperature. Error bars represent one standard deviation (n = 4). (b). Calcite growth (mm) in mussel shells cultured for 6 months for each pCO2 and temperature. Error bars represent one standard deviation (n = 4). (c). Aragonite growth (mm) in mussel shells cultured for 6 months for each pCO2 and temperature. Error bars represent one standard deviation (n = 4).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mussel average carbonic anhydrase activities for (a) mantle tissue (*10−3 enzyme units mg−1 of tissue) for each pCO2 and temperature. (b) extrapallial fluid (EP) (enzyme units ml−1) for each pCO2 and temperature. Error bars represent one standard deviation (n = 4).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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