MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate52.2% (2024)

Average Time in Review216 days (2024)

Total Annual Downloads2.730.120 (2025)

Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 477:251-258 (2013)

Effects of ocean acidification on the calcification of otoliths of larval Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

ABSTRACT: The growth and development of the aragonitic CaCO3 otoliths of teleost fish could be vulnerable to processes resulting from ocean acidification. The potential effects of an increase in atmospheric CO2 on the calcification of the otoliths were investigated by rearing Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L. larvae in 3 pCO2 concentrations—control (370 µatm), medium (1800 µatm) and high (4200 µatm)—from March to May 2010. Increased otolith growth was observed in 7 to 46 d post hatch (dph) cod larvae at elevated pCO2 concentrations. The sagittae and lapilli were usually largest in the high pCO2 treatment followed by the medium and control treatments. The greatest difference in mean otolith surface area (normalized to fish length) was for sagittae at 11 dph, with medium and high treatments being 46 and 43% larger than the control group, respectively. There was no significant pCO2 effect on the shape of the otoliths nor were there any trends in the fluctuating asymmetry, defined as the difference between the right and left sides, in relation to the increase in otolith growth from elevated pCO2.

KEYWORDS

R. H. Maneja (Co-author)

  • GEOMAR, Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, Kiel 24105, Germany

A. Y. Frommel (Co-author)

  • GEOMAR, Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, Kiel 24105, Germany

A. J. Geffen (Co-author)

  • Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, Bergen 5020, Norway

A. Folkvord (Co-author)

  • Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, Bergen 5020, Norway

U. Piatkowski (Co-author)

  • GEOMAR, Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, Kiel 24105, Germany

M. Y. Chang (Co-author)

  • Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, Bergen 5020, Norway

C. Clemmesen (Co-author)

  • GEOMAR, Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, Kiel 24105, Germany