Effects on Scope for Growth due to elevated carbon dioxide in the copepod Calanus finmarchicus

Abstract

Cohorts of the keystone copepod species Calanus finmarchicus exposed to simulatedocean acidification environments were followed during the course of two consecutivegenerations. The time of development into the different molting stages were monitored.While the more moderate CO2 concentration(1080 ppm) did not seem to affect the developmentrate, a slower development into molting stages were found in the highestexposure groups (2080 - 3080 ppm CO2). Measurements of oxygen consumption andfeeding rate in sub adult individuals (copepodite stage C5) were integrated into calculationsof the overall energy balance (Scope for Growth) of the animals. Together withbiometric measurements that were performed these results points to an energy depletiondue chronic exposure of elevated CO2 as has been predicted for the future. This stageof Calanus finmarchicus seems to be tolerant to a more moderate CO2 elevation (1080ppm) over the time frame of this study.