The Combined Effects of Ocean Acidification and Heavy Metals on Marine Organisms: A Meta-Analysis

Ocean acidification (OA) may interact with anthropogenic pollutants, such as heavy metals (HM), to represent a threat to marine organisms and ecosystems. Here, we perform a quantitative meta-analysis to examine the combined effects of OA and heavy metals on marine organisms. The results reveal predominantly additive interactions (67%), with a considerable proportion of synergistic interactions (25%) and a few antagonistic interactions (8%). The overall adverse effects of heavy metals on marine organisms were alleviated by OA, leading to a neutral impact of heavy metals in combination with OA. However, different taxonomic groups showed large variabilities in their responses, with microalgae being the most sensitive when exposed to heavy metals and OA, and having the highest proportion of antagonistic interactions. Furthermore, the variations in interaction type frequencies are related to climate regions and heavy metal properties, with antagonistic interactions accounting for the highest proportion in temperate regions (28%) and when exposed to Zn (52%). Our study provides a comprehensive insight into the interactive effects of OA and HM on marine organisms, and highlights the importance of further investigating the responses of different marine taxonomic groups from various geographic locations to the combined stress of OA and HM.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Meta-analysis reveals negative yet variable effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.6734959.6899059 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Helen Yap

Keyword(s):

Ocean Acidification ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Marine Organisms

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Meta-analysis reveals negative yet variable effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms

Ecology Letters ◽

10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01518.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 1419-1434 ◽

Cited By ~ 957

Author(s):

Kristy J. Kroeker ◽

Rebecca L. Kordas ◽

Ryan N. Crim ◽

Gerald G. Singh

Keyword(s):

Ocean Acidification ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Marine Organisms

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Interactive effects of metal pollution and ocean acidification on physiology of marine organisms

Current Zoology ◽

10.1093/czoolo/61.4.653 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 653-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Anna V. Ivanina ◽

Inna M. Sokolova

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Ocean Acidification ◽

Elevated Co2 ◽

Marine Ecosystems ◽

Marine Organisms ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Future Research ◽

Acid Base ◽

Physiological Basis ◽

Physiological Functions

Abstract Changes in the global environment such as ocean acidification (OA) may interact with anthropogenic pollutants including trace metals threatening the integrity of marine ecosystems. We analyze recent studies on the interactive effects of OA and trace metals on marine organisms with a focus on the physiological basis of these interactions. Our analysis shows that the responses to elevated CO2 and metals are strongly dependent on the species, developmental stage, metal biochemistry and the degree of environmental hypercapnia, and cannot be directly predicted from the CO2-induced changes in metal solubility and speciation. The key physiological functions affected by both the OA and trace metal exposures involve acid-base regulation, protein turnover and mitochondrial bioenergetics, reflecting the sensitivity of the underlying molecular and cellular pathways to CO2and metals. Physiological interactions between elevated CO2 and metals may impact the organisms’ capacity to maintain acid-base homeostasis and reduce the amount of energy available for fitness-related functions such as growth, development and reproduction thereby affecting survival and performance of estuarine populations. Environmental hypercapnia may also affect the marine food webs by altering predator-prey interactions and the trophic transfer of metals in the food chain. However, our understanding of the degree to which these effects can impact the function and integrity of marine ecosystems is limited due the scarcity of the published research and its bias towards certain taxonomic groups. Future research priorities should include studies of metal x PCO2 interactions focusing on critical physiological functions (including acid-base, protein and energy homeostasis) in a greater range of ecologically and economically important marine species, as well as including the field populations naturally exposed (and potentially adapted) to different levels of metals and CO2 in their environments.

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