Limpets counteract ocean acidification induced shell corrosion by thickening of aragonitic shell layers


Contact
Gernot.Nehrke [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

Specimens of the patellogastropod limpet Patella caerulea were collected within (pHlow-shells) and outside (pHn-shells) a CO2 vent site at Ischia, Italy. Four pHlow-shells and four pHn-shells were sectioned transversally and scanned for polymorph distribution by means of confocal Raman microscopy. The pHlow-shells displayed a twofold increase in aragonite area fraction and size-normalised aragonite area. Size-normalised calcite area was halved in pHlow-shells. Taken together with the increased apical and the decreased flank size-normalised thickness of the pHlow-shells, these data led us to conclude that low-pH-exposed P. caerulea specimens counteract shell dissolution by enhanced shell production. This is different from normal elongation growth and proceeds through addition of aragonitic parts only, while the production of calcitic parts is confined to elongation growth. Therefore, aragonite cannot be regarded as a disadvantageous polymorph per se under ocean acidification conditions.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
36994
DOI 10.5194/bg-11-7363-2014

Cite as
Langer, G. , Nehrke, G. , Baggini, C. , Rodolfo-Metalpa, R. , Hall-Spencer, J. M. and Bijma, J. (2014): Limpets counteract ocean acidification induced shell corrosion by thickening of aragonitic shell layers , Biogeosciences, 11 (24), pp. 7363-7368 . doi: 10.5194/bg-11-7363-2014


Download
[thumbnail of bg-11-7363-2014.pdf]
Preview
PDF
bg-11-7363-2014.pdf

Download (2MB) | Preview
Cite this document as:

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Geographical region

Research Platforms
N/A

Campaigns
N/A


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item