Ocean warming and CO2-driven acidification can alter the toxicity of metal-contaminated sediments to the meiofauna community

Author(s)

Alta, Giam Luca ; Alves, Aline Vecchio ; Trevizani, Tailisi Hoppe ; Figueira, Rubens Cesar Lopes ; Gallucci, Fabiane ; Choueri, Rodrigo Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 885, p. 14-pg., 2023-05-05.

Abstract

Interactive effects of trace metal contamination, ocean warming, and CO2-driven acidification on the structure of a meiofaunal benthic community was assessed. Meiofauna microcosm bioassays were carried out in controlled conditions in a full factorial experimental design which included three fixed factors: metal contamination in the sediment (3 levels of a mixture of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg), temperature (26 and 28 degrees C) and pH (7.6 and 8.1). Metal contamination caused a sharp decrease in the densities of the most abundant meiobenthic groups and interacted with temperature rise, exacerbating deleterious effects for Nematoda and Copepoda, but mitigating effects for Acoelomorpha. CO2-driven acidification resulted in increased acoelomorphs density, but only in sediments with lower levels of metals. Copepod densities, in turn, were lower in the CO2-driven acidification scenario regardless of contamination or temperature. The results obtained in the present study showed that temperature rise and CO2-driven acidification of coastal ocean waters, at environmentally relevant levels, interacts with trace metals in marine sediments, differently affecting the major groups of benthic biota. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/07351-4 - Ecotoxicological assessment of contaminated sediments under future scenarios of acidification and warming of the marine envinronment
• Grantee: Rodrigo Brasil Choueri
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants