Smallmouth grunt mortality data after exposure to experimental pH treatments
Project
Program
| Contributors | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Holmberg, Robert J. | University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) | Principal Investigator, Contact |
| Bourque, Bradford | Roger Williams University (RWU) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Gallagher, Eugene D. | University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Hannigan, Robyn E. | University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Rhyne, Andrew L. | Roger Williams University (RWU) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Tlusty, Michael F. | University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Rauch, Shannon | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO) | BCO-DMO Data Manager |
Abstract
Several clutches of Haemulon chrysargyreum eggs were purchased and shipped from a supplier in Florida, USA, and inspected for quality and development. A clutch was selected, eggs hatched, and larvae distributed among the 20 experimental aquaria at a stocking density of 130 individuals per aquarium. Larvae in each aquarium were subjected to one of 4 seawater pH treatments (8.10, 7.80, 7.60, 7.30) randomly assigned and replicated 5x. Seawater temperature in all aquaria was held constant at 28 C. Aquaria were filled with sterilized natural seawater, and 25% water changes were completed every 48 hrs. Larvae were fed ad libitum with wild copepods from monoculture (Pseudodiaptomus spp.) in a background of live microalgae (Isochrysis spp.). Larvae were reared under experimental conditions for 30 days until the majority achieved settlement competency.
Upon completion of the experimental trial, all surviving fish were removed from each aquarium, euthanized with a lethal dose of tricaine mesylate (MS-222) in seawater, and counted. Survival counts were subtracted from the initial stocking density to calculate mortality counts.
The experimental trial took place between November and December 2013. The otolith morphology, fish length, and fish mortality data were collected over a 5-year span between January 2014 and August 2019.
| File |
|---|
grunt_mortality.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 499 bytes) MD5:255760f6fc2a622e61049d31077ed01e Primary data file for dataset ID 876987 |
| Parameter | Description | Units |
| TANK | Aquaria ID | unitless |
| SETPOINT | Seawater pH Setpoint | pH units |
| pCO2 | Seawater pCO2 | microatmospheres (uatm) |
| REMAINING | Surviving Fish Count | fish |
| STOCK | Fish Stocking Density | fish |
| MORT | Perished Fish Count | fish |
Ocean Acidification: Effects on Morphology and Mineralogy in Otoliths of Larval Reef Fish (OA-OTO MIN)
If a larval fish cannot avoid predators and cannot orient itself in three-dimensional space, the consequences to the individual and the population are dramatic. Otoliths (ear stones), formed precipitation of calcium carbonate from a bicarbonate-rich and alkaline pH fluid, are critical to fish movement and orientation. Although marine fish compensate for carbon dioxide levels in the surrounding waters little is known about how increased dissolved carbon dioxide and changes in bicarbonate concentrations will impact the formation of otoliths. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, leading to decreased ocean pH (ocean acidification) may have profound impact on the deposition, growth and function of these critical structures, particularly in larval fish. Focusing on pre-settlement age larval reef fish (Amphiprion clarkii and Chrysiptera parasema), this research integrates expertise in carbonate mineralogy, otolith development, and reef fish biology and leverages this unique combination of expertise to answer fundamental questions regarding the impact of ocean acidification on the structure and function of otoliths.
Specifically, the research will answer two fundamental questions: What are the natural morphological and mineralogical variations within growing otoliths? How do these change when larvae are exposed to high dissolved carbon dioxide concentrations? Larvae will be hatched and reared under high carbon dioxide-induced low pH and three types of otoliths (sagittae, lapilli, asterisci) will be extracted over the duration of the experiments. Changes in calcium carbonate mineralogy from aragonite (most common) to vaterite (less common, less dense) as well as changes in crystal habit (well formed to poorly formed) will be evaluated using a combination of microscopic and morphometric techniques. The gap in understanding of otolith morphology and mineralogy precludes our ability to accurately evaluate the impact of ocean acidification on larval fish survival. Given that we know very little about the morphology and mineralogy of all three otolith types in larval marine fish, this research will provide fundamental data regarding natural variability. Data from unexposed and exposed larvae will inform our understanding of the development of otoliths and structure-function relationships. Additionally, otoliths provide long-term records of environmental life histories that could be better exploited if we understood the relation between environmental conditions and otolith morphology and mineralogy.
This research represents a unique interdisciplinary collaboration between faculty and students at the University of Massachusetts Boston (a minority-serving institution), New England Aquarium (NEAq; not-for-profit research aquarium), and, through a formal partnership with NEAq, Roger Williams University (primarily undergraduate institution).
Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES): Ocean Acidification (formerly CRI-OA) (SEES-OA)
NSF Climate Research Investment (CRI) activities that were initiated in 2010 are now included under Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES). SEES is a portfolio of activities that highlights NSF's unique role in helping society address the challenge(s) of achieving sustainability. Detailed information about the SEES program is available from NSF (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504707).
In recognition of the need for basic research concerning the nature, extent and impact of ocean acidification on oceanic environments in the past, present and future, the goal of the SEES: OA program is to understand (a) the chemistry and physical chemistry of ocean acidification; (b) how ocean acidification interacts with processes at the organismal level; and (c) how the earth system history informs our understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on the present day and future ocean.
Solicitations issued under this program:
NSF 10-530, FY 2010-FY2011
NSF 12-500, FY 2012
NSF 12-600, FY 2013
NSF 13-586, FY 2014
NSF 13-586 was the final solicitation that will be released for this program.
PI Meetings:
1st U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(March 22-24, 2011, Woods Hole, MA)
2nd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(Sept. 18-20, 2013, Washington, DC)
3rd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting (June 9-11, 2015, Woods Hole, MA – Tentative)
NSF media releases for the Ocean Acidification Program:
Press Release 10-186 NSF Awards Grants to Study Effects of Ocean Acidification
Discovery Blue Mussels "Hang On" Along Rocky Shores: For How Long?
Press Release 13-102 World Oceans Month Brings Mixed News for Oysters
| Funding Source | Award |
|---|---|
| NSF Emerging Frontiers Division (NSF EF) |
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