Can seagrass modify the effects of ocean acidification on oysters?

Natasha Garner, Pauline M. Ross*, Laura Falkenberg, Justin R. Seymour, Nahshon Siboni, Elliot Scanes

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Solutions are being sought to ameliorate the impacts of anthropogenic climate change. Seagrass may be a solution to provide refugia from climate change for marine organisms. This study aimed to determine if the seagrass Zostera muelleri sub spp. capricorni benefits the Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata, and if these benefits can modify any anticipated negative impacts of ocean acidification. Future and ambient ocean acidification conditions were simulated in 52 L mesocosms at control (381 μatm) and elevated (848 μatm) CO2 with and without Z. muelleri. Oyster growth, physiology and microbiomes of oysters and seagrass were measured. Seagrass was beneficial to oyster growth at ambient pCO2, but did not positively modify the impacts of ocean acidification on oysters at elevated pCO2. Oyster microbiomes were altered by the presence of seagrass but not by elevated pCO2. Our results indicate seagrasses may not be a panacea for the impacts of climate change.
Original languageEnglish
Article number113438
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume177
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Climate change
  • Microbiome
  • Ocean acidification
  • Oysters
  • Seagrass

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