Shell Dissolution of the Pteropod L. helicina in the Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
The changes in carbonate chemistry driven by ocean acidification (OA) are already evident in the Salish Sea. One consequence of this is the decrease in the carbonate ion concentration. Marine calcifiers use aragonite to build their calcium carbonate shells. Along the West Coast of the U.S., this decrease has been shown to enhance the shell dissolution of pteropods, pelagic gastropods with thin fragile aragonite shells, making them particularly vulnerable to OA. However, very little is known about the state of pteropods in the Puget Sound. This study aims to investigate the state of pteropods based on shell dissolution using scanning electron microscope imaging. The aim of this research is to use pteropods as bioindicators of OA, linking the low aragonite waters of the Puget Sound to observed shell dissolution. Pteropods with severe dissolution have been found in chronically undersaturated locations such as Hood Canal, and are widespread throughout the Puget Sound at the end of the upwelling season in the fall and early winter.
Session Title
Ocean Acidification in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Pteropoda--Effect of water acidification on--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Ocean acidification--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Puget Sound (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Shell Dissolution of the Pteropod L. helicina in the Puget Sound
2016SSEC
The changes in carbonate chemistry driven by ocean acidification (OA) are already evident in the Salish Sea. One consequence of this is the decrease in the carbonate ion concentration. Marine calcifiers use aragonite to build their calcium carbonate shells. Along the West Coast of the U.S., this decrease has been shown to enhance the shell dissolution of pteropods, pelagic gastropods with thin fragile aragonite shells, making them particularly vulnerable to OA. However, very little is known about the state of pteropods in the Puget Sound. This study aims to investigate the state of pteropods based on shell dissolution using scanning electron microscope imaging. The aim of this research is to use pteropods as bioindicators of OA, linking the low aragonite waters of the Puget Sound to observed shell dissolution. Pteropods with severe dissolution have been found in chronically undersaturated locations such as Hood Canal, and are widespread throughout the Puget Sound at the end of the upwelling season in the fall and early winter.
