ORCID
- Smart, Christopher: 0000-0001-6329-4139
- Hall-Spencer, Jason: 0000-0002-6915-2518
Abstract
Extensive CO2 vents have been discovered in the Wagner Basin, northern Gulf of California, where they create large areas with lowered seawater pH. Such areas are suitable for investigations of long-term biological effects of ocean acidification and effects of CO2 leakage from subsea carbon capture storage. Here, we show responses of benthic foraminifera to seawater pH gradients at 74-207m water depth. Living (rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminifera included Nonionella basispinata, Epistominella bradyana and Bulimina marginata. Studies on foraminifera at CO2 vents in the Mediterranean and off Papua New Guinea have shown dramatic long-term effects of acidified seawater. We found living calcareous benthic foraminifera in low pH conditions in the northern Gulf of California, although there was an impoverished species assemblage and evidence of post-mortem test dissolution.
DOI
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.02.011
Publication Date
2013-08-30
Publication Title
Mar Pollut Bull
Volume
73
Issue
2
First Page
452
Last Page
462
Organisational Unit
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Keywords
Benthic foraminifera, Gulf of California, Ocean acidification, Vent systems, Adaptation, Physiological, Carbon Dioxide, Ecosystem, Foraminifera, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Mexico, Seawater, Water Pollutants, Chemical
Recommended Citation
Pettit, L. R., Hart, M., Medina-Sánchez, A., Smart, C., Rodolfo-Metalpa, R., Hall-Spencer, J., & Prol-Ledesma, R. (2013) 'Benthic foraminifera show some resilience to ocean acidification in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico.', Mar Pollut Bull, 73(2), pp. 452-462. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.02.011
