A relatively new area of research for our lab is directed at understanding consequences of ongoing changes in climate. Elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 are reducing ocean pH and altering the carbonate chemistry of seawater, a process termed “ocean acidification.” Calcifying organisms (those that produce calcium carbonate skeletons or shells) are at particular risk because their ability to synthesize and/or maintain calcium carbonate structures may decline as pH decreases. Studies of ocean acidification to date, however, have focused primarily on pelagic organisms or corals. Much less is known about consequences of ocean acidification for calcifying invertebrates that live in temperate coastal habitats. Our goal is to begin to isolate effects of altered saturation state on key shelled species that live along temperate shores of the west coast of North America, and which play disproportionately important roles in coastal benthic communities. We are undertaking this line of research in concert with colleagues at BML, the UC Davis main campus, and elsewhere (Bodega Ocean Acidification Research group); our lab is particularly interested in biomechanical attributes of structural importance that may be degraded under acidified conditions.
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A relatively new area of research for our lab is directed at understanding consequences of ongoing changes in climate. Elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 are reducing ocean pH and altering the carbonate chemistry of seawater, a process termed “ocean acidification.” Calcifying organisms (those that produce calcium carbonate skeletons or shells) are at particular risk because their ability to synthesize and/or maintain calcium carbonate structures may decline as pH decreases. Studies of ocean acidification to date, however, have focused primarily on pelagic organisms or corals. Much less is known about consequences of ocean acidification for calcifying invertebrates that live in temperate coastal habitats. Our goal is to begin to isolate effects of altered saturation state on key shelled species that live along temperate shores of the west coast of North America, and which play disproportionately important roles in coastal benthic communities. We are undertaking this line of research in concert with colleagues at BML, the UC Davis main campus, and elsewhere (