Avaliação experimental da sensibilidade de larvas de ouriço-do-mar, Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus, 1758), à acidificação oceânica em Bangua (Ilha de Inhaca)

Abstract

The increase in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere due to human action has caused the ocean acidification. Ocean acidification has negatively impacted marine life, especially to calcifying animals. This research had as its object of study to evaluate the sensitivity of larvae of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla to variations in marine pH for understand the physiological limits of tolerance to ocean acidification. To this end, the effect of pH on survival rates, body and arm growth, calcification and index symmetry between the arms of T. gratilla larvae from Bangua (Ilha de Inhaca). The larvae were grown for 7 days in 4 pH treatments (8.04, 7.67, 7.46 and 7.29), which represent the pH current and future of their natural habitat. Lowering the pH significantly decreases the rates of survival, growth, calcification and symmetry index between larval arms. The limit The physiological tolerance level to ocean acidification of these larvae is between pH 7.67 and pH 8.04. If the pH of the sea continues to decline as suggested by current models, death can be expected massive influx of calcifying marine organisms in the future.(TRADUÇAO NOSSA)