Ocean acidification, Heat stress, Anthropocene

Ocean acidification

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  1. Will species with OA tolerance be favoured by selection induced environmental change?

Species with OA tolerance be definitely be favoured by natural selection in environments where OA levels increase because of long term environmental changes. There are also some animals that handle low pH levels better than others.

→ Estuarine and Coastal species

  • Freshwater meet seawater, and biological activity causes CO2 fluctuations.

→ Deep sea creatures

  • Volcanic vents or cold seeps have low O2 & high pressure and have high CO2.

→ Acidic freshwater species

  • Volcanic lakes or mine drains cause CO2 and low pH.

There are existing adaptions that can help learn from the consequences of OA:

→ Acid-Base regulation

  • Enhances ability for excretion of H+ ions and reabsorption of HCO3- ions.

→ Metabolism

  • Reduction of metabolic rate in high CO2 conditions reduces energy demand and produce internal CO2.

→ Behavioural change

  • Seeking environment with less CO2

Heat stress

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  1. Describe how physiological function varies in animal groups, particularly in response to environmental extremes

  2. Identify the principal organs governing homeostasis in a variety of animal groups