Ocean acidification reduces the crystallographic control in juvenile mussel shells

Fitzer, S. C. , Cusack, M. , Phoenix, V. R. and Kamenos, N. A. (2014) Ocean acidification reduces the crystallographic control in juvenile mussel shells. Journal of Structural Biology, 188(1), pp. 39-45. (doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2014.08.007)

Abstract

Global climate change threatens the oceans as anthropogenic carbon dioxide causes ocean acidification and reduced carbonate saturation. Future projections indicate under saturation of aragonite, and potentially calcite, in the oceans by 2100. Calcifying organisms are those most at risk from such ocean acidification, as carbonate is vital in the biomineralisation of their calcium carbonate protective shells. This study highlights the importance of multi-generational studies to investigate how marine organisms can potentially adapt to future projected global climate change. <i>Mytilus edulis</i> is an economically important marine calcifier vulnerable to decreasing carbonate saturation as their shells comprise two calcium carbonate polymorphs: aragonite and calcite. <i>M. Edulis</i> specimens were cultured under current and projected <i>p</i>CO₂ (380, 550, 750 and 1000 μatm), following 6 months of experimental culture, adults produced second generation juvenile mussels. Juvenile mussel shells were examined for structural and crystallographic orientation of aragonite and calcite. At 1000 μatm <i>p</i>CO₂, juvenile mussels spawned and grown under this high <i>p</i>CO₂ do not produce aragonite which is more vulnerable to carbonate under-saturation than calcite. Calcite and aragonite were produced at 380, 550 and 750 μatm <i>p</i>CO₂ . Electron back scatter diffraction analyses reveal less constraint in crystallographic orientation with increased <i>p</i>CO₂. Shell formation is maintained, although the nacre crystals appear corroded and crystals are not so closely layered together. The differences in ultrastructure and crystallography in shells formed by juveniles spawned from adults in high <i>p</i>CO₂ conditions may prove instrumental in their ability to survive ocean acidification.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Structural Biology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Structural Biology, [188, 1, (October 2014)] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2014.08.007
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kamenos, Professor Nick and Cusack, Professor Maggie and Phoenix, Dr Vernon and Fitzer, Dr Susan
• Authors: Fitzer, S. C., Cusack, M., Phoenix, V. R., and Kamenos, N. A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Structural Biology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1047-8477
• ISSN (Online): 1095-8657
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc.
• First Published: First published in Journal of Structural Biology 188(1):39-45
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher