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3241420 
Journal Article 
Effects of CO2-driven ocean acidification on the early developmental stages of invertebrates 
Kurihara, H 
2008 
1 
Marine Ecology Progress Series
ISSN: 0171-8630
EISSN: 1616-1599 
373 
275-284 
WOS:000262731000025 
CO2 emissions arising from the burning of fossil fuels have
altered seawater chemistry far more rapidly than the Earth has previously experienced, and the
rate and extent of this change are expected to affect shallow water marine organisms. The
increased CO2 diffuses from the atmosphere into ocean surface waters, resulting in increased
partial pressure of CO2, and reduced [CO32-] and pH. The CO2-driven ocean acidification leads to
a decrease in calcium carbonate (CaCO3) saturation state in the ocean surface waters and has
potential impacts on calcifiers. The present study focuses on the effects of ocean acidification
on early developmental and reproductive stages of calcifiers, both of which are believed to be
the most vulnerable stages to environmental change within a life cycle. Laboratory experiments
revealed that ocean acidification has negative impacts on the fertilization, cleavage, larva,
settlement and reproductive stages of several marine calcifiers, including echinoderm, bivalve,
coral and crustacean species. There appear to be significant ontogenetic impacts and species-
specific differences in tolerance to the high CO2 levels. The conclusion is that future changes
in ocean acidity will potentially impact the population size and dynamics, as well as the
community structure of calcifiers, and will therefore have negative impacts on marine ecosystems.
Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential impacts on non-calcifiers, as well as the
synergistic impacts of ocean acidification and climate change. Studies should also focus on the
adaptive capability of marine organisms, which will be crucial to the ability to forecast how
marine organisms and ecosystems will respond to the world's oceans as they warm and acidify. 
CO2; Ocean acidification; Seawater chemistry; Calcifiers; Early development; Reproduction; Rapid environmental change