Responses of pink salmon to CO2-induced aquatic acidification
Author: ["Michelle Ou","Trevor J. Hamilton","Junho Eom","Emily M. Lyall","Joshua Gallup","Amy Jiang","Jason Lee","David A. Close","Sang-Seon Yun","Colin J. Brauner"]
Publication: Nature Climate Change
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Abstract
Ocean acidification negatively affects many marine species and is predicted to cause widespread changes to marine ecosystems. Similarly, freshwater ecosystems may potentially be affected by climate-change-related acidification; however, this has received far less attention. Freshwater fish represent 40% of all fishes, and salmon, which rear and spawn in freshwater, are of immense ecosystem, economical and cultural importance. In this study, we investigate the impacts of CO2-induced acidification during the development of pink salmon, in freshwater and following early seawater entry. At this critical and sensitive life stage, we show dose-dependent reductions in growth, yolk-to-tissue conversion and maximal O2 uptake capacity; as well as significant alterations in olfactory responses, anti-predator behaviour and anxiety under projected future increases in CO2 levels. These data indicate that future populations of pink salmon may be at risk without mitigation and highlight the need for further studies on the impact of CO2-induced acidification on freshwater systems. Pink salmon start life in fresh water before moving to the sea. This study shows that CO2-induced acidification due to climate change detrimentally affects salmon physiology and behaviour in fresh water and shortly following seawater entry.
Cite this article
Ou, M., Hamilton, T., Eom, J. et al. Responses of pink salmon to CO2-induced aquatic acidification. Nature Clim Change 5, 950–955 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2694
