Effects of a more acidic Arctic Ocean

Worldwide, the oceans are becoming more acidic as they absorb increasing amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This phenomenon, “ocean acidification,” is presenting marine animals with physiological challenges.  5.5 forsvarte Master i biologi Allison Michelle Bailey ved AMB offentlig for ph.d.-graden i naturvitenskap, avhandlingen: "The fate of a key Arctic copepod in future ocean acidification: Integrating molecular, organismal, and evolutionary thinking in the face of climate change"
Revold, Jens
Publisert: 08.05.17 00:00 Oppdatert: 11.05.17 13:30

In this thesis, I investigated how future ocean acidification may affect the Arctic marine ecosystem, by focusing on its effects on a key zooplankton species. The thesis, “The fate of a key Arctic copepod in

future ocean acidification: Integrating molecular, organismal, and evolutionary thinking in the face of climate change” sought to answer whether or not ocean acidification will be a physiological stressor to this species and the extent to which the species will be able to adapt over time to tolerate the changing acidity levels.

I tested the response of Calanus glacialis to low pH (more acidic) seawater in exposure experiments, covering many life stages and comparing four Arctic populations. We found that the young stages were not the most sensitive, as we had expected, but that other stages showed negative responses to low pH. However, the results indicate that the species may be able to adapt to low pH over time, potentially gaining tolerance to the stress. This indicates that the species is likely able to persist in future ocean acidification, remaining a central player in the Arctic marine ecosystem.

Foto: Keith and Stephen Bailey

Kommisjonen

Foto: Keith and Stephen Bailey

Veiledere:

  • Førsteamanuensis Camilla Svensen, AMB
  • Dr. Peter Thor, Norsk Polarinsitutt
  • Dr. Haakon Hop, Norsk Polarinsitutt/AMB-BFE-fakultetet
  • Dr. Claudia Halsband, Akvaplan Niva

 

Bedømmelseskomité:

  • Professor Hans G. Dam, University of Connecticut, USA (1. opponent)
  • Dr. Pennie Lindeque, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Storbritannia (2. opponent)
  • Førsteamanuensis Sophie Bourgeon (internt medlem og leder av komiteen)

 

Disputasen ble avholdt på engelsk og ble ledet av professor Jørgen Berge ved Fakultet for biovitenskap, fiskeri og økonomi.

Personlig

Allison M. Bailey (born 1985) was born in the USA, and has been living and studying Arctic biology in Norway for 10 years. Her PhD was based at the Norwegian Polar Institute and UiT, and was funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

Revold, Jens
Publisert: 08.05.17 00:00 Oppdatert: 11.05.17 13:30
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