Aquatic ecosystem acidification and its impact on olfactory-mediated behavioural responses.

What is it about?

Ocean acidification (OA) is a phenomenon in which sea water acidifies due to its increased absorption of dissolved CO2 from fossil-fuel combustion. Changes in water chemistry linked to OA has been shown to alter olfaction abilities in marine fishes and invertebrates. We review evidences of olfactory-mediated impairment and compare the mechanisms of actions among freshwater and oceanic conditions. Compared to freshwater changes due to OA may be more difficult to mitigate in affected organisms.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This work underscores the global importance of OA, and its remedy that will require concerted efforts. This is so given that compared to freshwater acidification, no local solution exists for OA. As such changes in olfaction abilities linked to acidification may persists under oceanic, leading to reduced abilities in fish (or invertebrates) for find food, mates, shelter or detect predators. This impairment will likely affect the community-structure in affected ecosystems.