XXIst Century Evolution -Coral Sharks in a Carbon Economy

Great Coral Barrier Reef -Australia

A unique event is unfolding around the world species of the XXIst Century are evolving to adapt to climate change. Scientist around the world are discovering that a wide range of species are adapting to climate change in diverse ways. A recent study of researchers of the James Cook Australia University took the issue literally by the hands and added a new case to the list of modern evolution of the species. The study assures that coral reef sharks are adapting their “tolerance” to CO2 levels.

Conservation Magazine reported on October 22^nd that Reef sharks may already be adapted for climate change. The news broke international press wide and open.

Around the world some species adapting to climate change is a controversial issue, the established scientific view on climate change caused by human impact usually stands on the column of reasoning that evolution and adaptation of the species works in “long time-rates” requiring more time than that provided by increasing rates of carbon emissions for example. The implications this issue can have on the international climate change debate is still to be resolved.

Scientifically some dismiss the claims that species adapt with speed as offensive. Charts of increasing rates of species in risk of extinction or endangered listed by the IUCN are often brought forward to the table. Others in the community assure that the evidence could be used by climate change sceptics to reverse climate change policy. Finally those most open minded question how and why they species are adapting and if this has happened before in other geological eras of the planet.

Researchers of the James Cook University of Australia had their focus on a more thin line -attention necessary to reach conclusions that are in no way minor.

Asian Scientist reported on the Paper of James Cook Researchers “A product of its environment: The epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium) exhibits physiological tolerance to elevated environmental CO2” authored by Dennis D.U Heinrich, Jodie Rummer, Andrea J. Morash, Sue-Ann Watson, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Michelle R Heupel and Philip L. Munday. The final approved draft was published in the Journal of Conservation Physiology.

Despíte epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium) are well known reef sharks like black and white tip sharks they do have endless things in common with all other species grouped as sharks.

The study analyzed tolerance of CO2 in epaulette sharks and quantified short, mid and long term consequences.

Asian Scientists spin the news to international relevance reporting that atmospheric CO2 levels have increased by almost 40 percent in the last 250 years. More than 30 percent has been absorbed by the world’s oceans.

The issue of Green Houses Gases, Atmospheric Gas Alterations and Development in the past decade has proven to be a rock in the shoe of Developed, Developing and Underdeveloped Nations. Science is modelling the future of international policy on atmospheric gases and the CO2 economy.

The study published in the journal Conservation Physiology has shown that the epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) displays physiological tolerance to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) in its environment after being exposed to CO2 levels equivalent to those that are predicted for their natural habitats in the near future.

Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (Coral CoE) at James Cook University stated that the specie that shelters within reefs and copes with low oxygen levels, is able to tolerate increased carbon dioxide in the water without any obvious physical impact.

The study exposed the sharks to increased CO2 for more than two months, mirroring the levels predicted for 2050 and 2100.

“We then tested the sharks’ respiratory system, measuring how much oxygen it needed to maintain basic function under the experimental conditions,” said study co-author Dr Jodie Rummer.

Cairn Post reported that sharks were found to be regulating their systems to counter the higher levels of acid in their bodies and their ability to cope with low oxygen levels.

“Although their bodies are doing something to compensate for that disturbance, it doesn’t seem to be costing them any energy,” the study assures.

The study revealed sea water solution rates, oxygen consumption rates and CO2 requirements as well as energy and breathing. Skin analysis were not highlighted nor made public.

While the sturdy showed that these sharks can tolerate increased CO2 levels it did not measure similar impacts on the environment sharks depend on for living. Specie which can adapt to an element but find that its environment do not either migrates or face extinction.

Dr Rummer said the next step was to test the sensitivity of other shark species to ocean acidification. Gas accumulation through trophic chains and gas biomaginifcation through trophic chains the potential increase of elements as they pass from prey to predator are complex. Sharks top the food webs and therefore insight on the issue could be interesting to say the least.

Dr Rummer adds that by determining which animals are more and less susceptible to high CO2 than others, scientists will be better able to predict the future consequences of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems.

Dr. Rummer says, “Investigating animals that are already experiencing challenging conditions in their environment may help us understand which species will fare well under future climate change conditions.”

“Although the epaulette shark is not an apex predator, it plays an important role in balancing food webs and the overall health of coral reef ecosystems. The next obvious step is to examine predator species that live in the open ocean, as they may be more susceptible to future ocean acidification conditions.”

Ocean Life News in Brief

Ocean Level Increase Dropping Oceans Floor: International Press reported on December 5 on the findings of new research which assures that due to ocean level increase the ocean floor is sinking. The study published online in Geophysical Research Levels used mathematical equations to accurately measure the Ocean's floor impact driven by the increased of water volume weight. Using data from 1993 to 2014 researchers found that ocean level increase is causing the Ocean floor to drop globally by the milimeters. Ocean Dead Zones Up By Four: On January 8 New York Daily reported that Ocean Dead Zones have quadrupled.Researchers warned in a new study that oxygen-starved ocean dead zones, where animals and plants are struggling to survive, have increased fourfold and it may not be reversible. The new study was published in the Journal Science. The increase of Dead Zones was linked to climate change. La Niña´s Polar Wave Hitting Hard the US -Freezing Oceans: International Press reported on the Polar Wave hitting hard the US. The event is linked by experts to the influence of La Niña. “For the past couple of weeks, parts of North America have been chilling down to record temperatures, with massive snowfall and icy cold conditions putting life at a standstill for many,” media reported. The US East Coast has been particularly badly hit with the likes of Boston down to Philadelphia reaching bone-chilling lows of near 0°F , with icy winds making it feel closer to around -10°F to -20°F. Officially 18 were dead and 100 million affected. Government of Bali Declares a Garbage Emergency: On January 5 Ocean Conservancy reported on a New Waste Management Emergency in Bali. Massive amounts of ocean debri are affecting the island. The situation has reached its peak as the Government of Bali declared a “Garbage Emergency”. Clean up works have began. “Ivory Coast Village Swallowed by Ocean Increase,” Aljazeera Reports: On January 8 Al Jazeera reported that ocean increase levels are affecting infrastructure in the Ivory Coast. “Rising tides and more frequent, devastating storms are slowly destroying what is left of Lahou-Kpanda, the offshoot of what was once a major colonial town near the mouth of the Bandama River, the longest river in Ivory Coast,” Al Jazeera reported. Arctic Ocean Radioactive Levels on the Rise: IFL Science reported on January 3 on the findings of new report which assures that radioactive levels in the Arctic Ocean are on the rise. “Concentrations of radioactive radium-228 in the Arctic Ocean increased between 2007 and 2015,” the report reads. While levels have not yet reached a mark of concern the trend is worries experts. Lauren Kipp of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution addressed the issue. New World Wide Ocean Turtle Study Says 90% of Plastic Pollution Cases Result in Death: Earth Sky Org reported on January 7 that hundreds of marine turtles die every year after getting tangled in trash in oceans and on beaches. A research published in the journal Endangered Species Research took on a World-Wide Survey covering the major oceans where turtles live. They discovered that 91 % of the entangled turtles were found dead. They also suffered serious wounds from entanglement, leading to maiming, amputation or choking. Double Whirlpools Discovered for First Time: December 4 Press reported that Double Eddies have been registered for the first time in History. Tangled up Double Eddies can travel great distances affecting ecology significantly. Eddies are a natural part of the ocean environment but double whirlpools had only been theorized by mathematicians.