Dell'Acqua, O., Trebala, M.,
Chiantore, M. and Hannula, S.-P.
2019
Robustness of
Adamussium colbecki
shell to ocean acidification
in a short-term exposure.
Marine Environmental Research 149: 90-99.
NOTE:
Climate alarmists
claim marine species
with calcium carbonate
skeletons will dissolve,
as increasing CO2
changes ocean Ph.
SUMMARY:
Dell'Acqua et al. (2019)
studied the response
of an Antarctic scallop
(Adamussium colbecki),
to two different seawater
pH regimes over a period
of 37 days.
These findings are good news
for the future of the Antarctic
scallop and other marine life
dependent upon it.
Dell'Acqua et al. said:
"no effect of pH
could be detected
either in crystal
deposition or in
the mechanical
properties."
They conclude
"A. colbecki shell structure
and mechanical properties
are resistant to a short-term
OA exposure, both at the
micro- and at the nanoscale,
suggesting potential robustness
of this benthic key species
in light of future calcium
carbonate undersaturation."
DETAILS:
The experiment
was conducted under
controlled-environment
conditions at the Italian
Mario Zucchelli
research station
(Terra Nova Bay,
Ross Sea) during
the austral summer
of 2014/15.
Adult scallop specimens were
collected from Tethys Bay,
close to the research station,
and acclimated for two weeks,
in seawater tanks.
Then the scallops
were exposed
to either
control (8.12)
or reduced
(7.6) pH seawater
for 37 days.
To determine the impact
of ocean acidification on
this Antarctic scallop's shell,
various shell mechanical
properties were examined
at the end of the experiment,
including scanning electron
microscopy, nano-indentation
and Vickers indentation.