Ocean acidification, warming and feeding impacts on biomineralization pathways and shell material properties of Magallana gigas and Mytilus spp.

Mele, I., McGill, R. A. R. , Thompson, J., Fennell, J. and Fitzer, S. (2023) Ocean acidification, warming and feeding impacts on biomineralization pathways and shell material properties of Magallana gigas and Mytilus spp. Marine Environmental Research, 186, 105925. (doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105925)

Abstract

Molluscs are among the organisms affected by ocean acidification (OA), relying on carbon for shell biomineralization. Metabolic and environmental sourcing are two pathways potentially affected by OA, but the circumstances and patterns by which they are altered are poorly understood. From previous studies, mollusc shells grown under OA appear smaller in size, brittle and thinner, suggesting an important alteration in carbon sequestration. However, supplementary feeding experiments have shown promising results in offsetting the negative consequences of OA on shell growth. Our study compared carbon uptake by δ13C tracing and deposition into mantle tissue and shell layers in Magallana gigas and Mytilus species, two economically valuable and common species. After subjecting the species to 7.7 pH, +2 °C seawater, and enhanced feeding, both species maintain shell growth and metabolic pathways under OA without benefitting from extra feeding, thus, showing effective acclimation to rapid and short-term environmental change. Mytilus spp. increases metabolic carbon into the calcite and environmental sourcing of carbon into the shell aragonite in low pH and high temperature conditions. Low pH affects M. gigas mantle nitrogen isotopes maintaining growth. Calcite biomineralization pathway differs between the two species and suggests species-specific response to OA.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This project was supported by RCUK NERC Independent Research Fellowship funding [NE/N01409X/2] awarded to S. Fitzer.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McGill, Dr Rona

Creator Roles

McGill, R. A.R.: Supervision, Investigation, Data curation, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Mele, I., McGill, R. A. R., Thompson, J., Fennell, J., and Fitzer, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Marine Environmental Research
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0141-1136
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0291
• Published Online: 19 February 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Marine Environmental Research 186:105925
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license