Acute extracellular acid-base disturbance in the burrowing sea urchin Brissopsis lyrifera during exposure to a simulated CO2 release

The Science of the Total Environment
John I Spicer, S Widdicombe

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that as infaunal organisms are regularly exposed to elevated CO(2), burrowing sea urchins will demonstrate a lower sensitivity to massive CO(2) release than has previously been recorded for epifaunal organisms. Infaunal urchins Brissopsis lyrifera were exposed to CO(2) acidified sea water (nominal pH 7.8 (control), 7.3, 6.5 and 5.9; T=10 °C, S=34) for 12 h and aspects of their extracellular acid-base balance measured every 2h. In common with epifaunal urchins B. lyrifera exhibited an uncompensated respiratory acidosis in its extracellular fluid, but was more sensitive to CO(2) acidification than epifaunal urchins. The lower extracellular pH of B. lyrifera may indicate a higher metabolism than epifaunal urchins and this could explain the heightened sensitivity of this species to elevated CO(2). Thus, the results of this present study do not support our original hypothesis. Instead we suggest an alternative hypothesis that as infaunal organisms are exposed naturally to high levels of CO(2), they may already be closer to the limits of their physiological performance. Thus any further CO(2) increase could compromise their function. As a result of this sensitivity, infaunal urchins may be more at risk from a...Continue Reading

References

Jan 9, 2003·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Brad A Seibel, Patrick J Walsh
Sep 1, 2007·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Rattan Lal
Feb 5, 2010·Ecotoxicology·S DupontM Thorndyke

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.