Natural Analogues in pH Variability and Predictability across the Coastal Pacific Estuaries: Extrapolation of the Increased Oyster Dissolution under Increased pH Amplitude and Low Predictability Related to Ocean Acidification

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00010
• Publication Date: 2022-05-12T06:56:57Z
• Authors: Nina Bednaršek; Marcus W. Beck; Greg Pelletier; Scott Lee Applebaum; Richard A. Feely; Robert Butler; Maria Byrne; Betsy Peabody; Jonathan Davis; Jasna Štrus
• Keywords: Predictability; Ocean Acidification

Coastal-estuarine habitats are rapidly changing due to global climate change, with impacts influenced by the variability of carbonate chemistry conditions. However, our understanding responses ecologically and economically important calcifiers pH temporal variation is limited, particularly respect shell-building processes. We investigated mechanisms driving biomineralogical physiological in juveniles introduced (Pacific; Crassostrea gigas) native (Olympia; Ostrea lurida) oysters under flow-through experimental conditions over a six-week period that simulate current future conditions: static control low (8.0 7.7); fluctuating (24-h) amplitude (7.7 ± 0.2 7.7 0.5); high-frequency (12-h) 0.2) treatment. The showed tolerance vital processes, including calcification, respiration, clearance, survival. shell dissolution significantly increased larger amplitudes compared conditions, attributable longer cumulative exposure lower threshold amplitude. Moreover, treatment triggered greater dissolution, likely because oyster's inability respond unpredictable frequency variations. findings were extrapolated provide context for existing several Pacific coastal estuaries, time series analyses demonstrating unique signatures predictability these habitats, indicating potentially benefiting effects on fitness habitats. These implications crucial evaluating suitability aquaculture, adaptation, carbon dioxide removal strategies.