CO2 Levels Threaten Oyster Populations

Photo credit: Discovery News

We know CO2 levels are increasing in our atmosphere, and we also know that these increases can have negative impacts on ocean creatures.

But now we’re certain that ocean acidification is hurting marine organisms like oysters.

The rising CO2 that makes the water acidic is affecting the shell strength of oysters.

A new study says the early stage of shell growth is vulnerable to corrosive seawater. Commercial oyster operations in the Pacific Northwest are suffering.

“The hatcheries call it ‘lazy larvae syndrome’ because these tiny oysters just sink in the water and stop swimming,” George Waldbusser of Oregon State, the lead author of the study told Discovery.

Unfortunately, oysters cannot grow their shells properly when ocean chemistry changes even slightly.

“These organisms have really sensitive windows to ocean acidification — even more sensitive than we thought,” Waldbusser said.

Read more from Discovery News.