If pollution were limited and no actions were taken to neutralize ocean acidification the ocean would be able to neutralize itself over a long time period. …show more content…
Ten giant test tubes-like structures were built by five European scientists. The giant test tubes, or mesocosms are 60 feet long and can hold just under 15,000 gallons of water. Once organisms swim into a mesocosm, they are sealed and the pH of the water is lowered to predicted pH level of 7.8 at the end of the century. A pH of 7.8 has been observed to slow some fish larvae growth and present abnormal behavior within species. Some abnormal behaviors from species including clown fish and sea snails were observed swimming toward predators. The pH of the solution is lowered by introducing carbon dioxide into the solution. Another great feature about the mesocosm technology other than predicting impact on organisms is that it can be relocated to different ecosystems throughout the world’s oceans. One of these mesocosms was installed in the Swedish Gullmarn Fjord near Kristineberg, …show more content…
From these sample scientists were able to identify what organisms were living in the water and the proportions of those organisms. As more data was gathered, the effect of more acidic water on organisms could be compiled to see how the organisms fared.
In one source, the effects of increased carbon dioxide on Atlantic Cod Gauds Morhua larvae were observed. Three concentrations of water including a control 370 micro-atm, a medium of 1,800 micro-atm, and a high concentration of 4,200 micro-atm were used within the experiment. In the high concentration, seven to forty-six cod larvae were observed with increased otolith growth. However, no major impacts were present on the larvae such as fluctuating asymmetry (difference between left and right side). In another source, the growth and development of sea urchin in increased carbon dioxide conditions was examined. Over the time period in which the experiment was conducted, sea urchins underwent minor carbonate dissolution. The growth of the sea urchin was reduced. However the stability of the organisms was unchanged. Another effect of increased carbon dioxide included spines of the sea urchin dissolving more severely. This in turn make the sea urchin more vulnerable to predation which could spell disaster within the food chain as sea urchin are a keystone