Effect of low pH on growth and shell mechanical properties of the Peruvian scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819)

Type Article
Date 2022-05
Language English
Author(s) Córdova-Rodríguez KathyORCID1, Flye-Sainte-Marie Jonathan2, Fernández ErnestoORCID3, Graco MichelleORCID1, 3, Rozas AnibalORCID, Aguirre-Velarde ArturoORCID2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Honorio Delgado 444, Lima, Peru
2 : LEMAR, UMR 6539 (UBO/CNRS/IRD/Ifremer), IUEM, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
3 : Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE), Esq. General Valle y Gamarra s/n, Chucuito, Callao, Peru
4 : Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima, Peru
Source Marine Environmental Research (0141-1136) (Elsevier BV), 2022-05 , Vol. 177 , P. 105639 (10p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105639
WOS© Times Cited 1
Keyword(s) Ocean acidification, Low pH, Pectinid, Growth, Shell, Microhardness, Crushing force, Calcification, Upwelling systems
Abstract

Dissolution of anthropogenic CO2 modifies seawater pH, leading to ocean acidification, which might affect calcifying organisms such as bivalve mollusks. Along the Peruvian coast, however, natural conditions of low pH (7.6–8.0) are encountered in the habitat of the Peruvian scallop (Argopecten purpuratus), as a consequence of the nearby coastal upwelling influence. To understand the effects of low pH in a species adapted to these environmental conditions, an experiment was performed to test its consequences on growth, calcification, dissolution, and shell mechanical properties in juvenile Peruvian scallops. During 28 days, scallops (initial mean height = 14 mm) were exposed to two contrasted pH conditions: a control with unmanipulated seawater presenting pH conditions similar to those found in situ (pHT = 7.8) and a treatment, in which CO2 was injected to reduce pH to 7.4. At the end of the experiment, shell height and weight, and growth and calcification rates were reduced about 6%, 20%, 9%, and 10% respectively in the low pH treatment. Mechanical properties, such as microhardness were positively affected in the low pH condition and crushing force did not show differences between pH treatments. Final soft tissue weights were not significantly affected by low pH. This study provides evidence of low pH change shell properties increasing the shell microhardness in Peruvian scallops, which implies protective functions. However, the mechanisms behind this response need to be studied in a global change context.

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Córdova-Rodríguez Kathy, Flye-Sainte-Marie Jonathan, Fernández Ernesto, Graco Michelle, Rozas Anibal, Aguirre-Velarde Arturo (2022). Effect of low pH on growth and shell mechanical properties of the Peruvian scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819). Marine Environmental Research, 177, 105639 (10p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105639 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00769/88094/