Elevated CO2 enhances otolith growth in young fish
Checkley Jr., D.M.; Dickson, A.G.; Takahashi, M.; Radich, J.A.; Eisenkolb, N.; Asch, R.G. (2009). Elevated CO2 enhances otolith growth in young fish. Science (Wash.) 324(5935): 1683 + supplement. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1167324
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
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Keywords |
Acidification Chemical compounds > Carbon compounds > Atmospheric gases > Carbon dioxide Otoliths Water bodies > Oceans Marine/Coastal |
Authors | | Top |
- Checkley Jr., D.M.
- Dickson, A.G.
- Takahashi, M.
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- Radich, J.A.
- Eisenkolb, N.
- Asch, R.G.
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Abstract |
A large fraction of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activity enters the sea, causing ocean acidification. We show that otoliths (aragonite ear bones) of young fish grown under high CO2 (low pH) conditions are larger than normal, contrary to expectation. We hypothesize that C2 moves freely through the epithelium around the otoliths in young fish, accelerating otolith growth while the local pH is controlled. This is the converse of the effect commonly reported for structural biominerals. |
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