ECCO

Research Directions:

Reproduction and physiology

Environmental genomics

Ecology and ecosystem management

Description:

The long-term synergistic effects of climate change (ocean warming and acidification) on marine gastropods will be investigated through different experimental treatments using a combination of low or ambient pH and increased or ambient temperature. An integrated multi-disciplinary approach will be used to investigate morphological, physiological, behavioral, chemical and molecular responses on a complementary basis, as well as possible adaptations of the organisms. The effects on growth and mortality will be examined in individually marked gastropods. Morphology and integrity of calcified structures (e.g. shells, statoliths) will be investigated using a micro-computed tomograph (micro-CT) and advanced 3D model analysis (density, porosity, thickness and 3D-morphometrics). Confocal Raman Microscopy analysis will offer information regarding the mineralogical composition of CaCO₃ polymorphs in the shells. Differences in gene expression related to shell forming processes (biomineralization, skeletogenesis), stressful events or general metabolism will be investigated. In addition, reproduction and early juvenile development will be studied in order to estimate the severity and consequences of future climate changes on gastropod populations. Also, the impact of ocean acidification on the success of vital activities such as foraging and predator avoidance will be examined as part of the behavioral evaluation.