Ocean acidification alters the material properties of Mytilus edulis shells. 2015

Susan C Fitzer, and Wenzhong Zhu, and K Elizabeth Tanner, and Vernon R Phoenix, and Nicholas A Kamenos, and Maggie Cusack
School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK susan.fitzer@glasgow.ac.uk.

Ocean acidification (OA) and the resultant changing carbonate saturation states is threatening the formation of calcium carbonate shells and exoskeletons of marine organisms. The production of biominerals in such organisms relies on the availability of carbonate and the ability of the organism to biomineralize in changing environments. To understand how biomineralizers will respond to OA the common blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, was cultured at projected levels of pCO2 (380, 550, 750, 1000 µatm) and increased temperatures (ambient, ambient plus 2°C). Nanoindentation (a single mussel shell) and microhardness testing were used to assess the material properties of the shells. Young's modulus (E), hardness (H) and toughness (KIC) were measured in mussel shells grown in multiple stressor conditions. OA caused mussels to produce shell calcite that is stiffer (higher modulus of elasticity) and harder than shells grown in control conditions. The outer shell (calcite) is more brittle in OA conditions while the inner shell (aragonite) is softer and less stiff in shells grown under OA conditions. Combining increasing ocean pCO2 and temperatures as projected for future global ocean appears to reduce the impact of increasing pCO2 on the material properties of the mussel shell. OA may cause changes in shell material properties that could prove problematic under predation scenarios for the mussels; however, this may be partially mitigated by increasing temperature.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009792 Oceans and Seas A great expanse of continuous bodies of salt water which together cover more than 70 percent of the earth's surface. Seas may be partially or entirely enclosed by land, and are smaller than the five oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic). Seas,Oceans,Seas and Oceans
D002113 Calcification, Physiologic Process by which organic tissue becomes hardened by the physiologic deposit of calcium salts. Bone Mineralization,Calcification, Physiological,Physiologic Calcification,Mineralization, Bone,Physiological Calcification
D002245 Carbon Dioxide A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. Carbonic Anhydride,Anhydride, Carbonic,Dioxide, Carbon
D006863 Hydrogen-Ion Concentration The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D049880 Mytilus edulis A species of mussel in the genus MYTILUS, family MYTILIDAE, class BIVALVIA, known as the common mussel. It has a bluish-black shell and is highly edible. Mussels, Blue,Mussels, Common,Mussel, Blue,Mussel, Common,Blue Mussel,Blue Mussels,Common Mussel,Common Mussels,Mytilus eduli,edulis, Mytilus
D060105 Animal Shells The hard rigid covering of animals including MOLLUSCS; TURTLES; INSECTS; and crustaceans. Animal Exoskeleton,Carapace,Seashells,Animal Exoskeletons,Animal Shell,Carapaces,Exoskeleton, Animal,Exoskeletons, Animal,Seashell,Shell, Animal,Shells, Animal

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