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AEI 8:357-370 (2016)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00183

Effects of temperature and ocean acidification on shell characteristics of Argopecten purpuratus: implications for scallop aquaculture in an upwelling-influenced area

Nelson A. Lagos1,*, Samanta Benítez1, Cristian Duarte2, Marco A. Lardies3, Bernardo R. Broitman4, Christian Tapia5, Pamela Tapia5, Steve Widdicombe6, Cristian A. Vargas

1Centro de Investigación e Innovación para el Cambio Climático (CiiCC), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, 8370003 Santiago, Chile
2Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, 8370251 Santiago, Chile
3Facultad de Ingeniería & Ciencias y Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, 7941169 Santiago, Chile
4Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, 1781421 Coquimbo, Chile
5Cultivos Invertec Ostimar S.A., Tongoy, 1780000Coquimbo, Chile
6Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, PL1 3DH Plymouth, UK
7Laboratorio de Funcionamiento de Ecosistemas Acuáticos (LAFE), Departamento de Sistemas Acuáticos, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Concepción, 4070386 Concepción, Chile
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Coastal upwelling regions already constitute hot spots of ocean acidification as naturally acidified waters are brought to the surface. This effect could be exacerbated by ocean acidification and warming, both caused by rising concentrations of atmospheric CO2. Along the Chilean coast, upwelling supports highly productive fisheries and aquaculture activities. However, during recent years, there has been a documented decline in the national production of the native scallop Argopecten purpuratus. We assessed the combined effects of temperature and pCO2-driven ocean acidification on the growth rates and shell characteristics of this species farmed under the natural influence of upwelling waters occurring in northern Chile (30°S, Tongoy Bay). The experimental scenario representing current conditions (14°C, pH ~8.0) were typical of natural values recorded in Tongoy Bay, whilst conditions representing the low pH scenario were typical of an adjacent upwelling area (pH ~7.6). Shell thickness, weight, and biomass were reduced under low pH (pH ~7.7) and increased temperature (18°C) conditions. At ambient temperature (14°C) and low pH, scallops showed increased shell dissolution and low growth rates. However, elevated temperatures ameliorated the impacts of low pH, as evidenced by growth rates in both pH treatments at the higher temperature treatment that were not significantly different from the control treatment. The impact of low pH at current temperature on scallop growth suggests that the upwelling could increase the time required for scallops to reach marketable size. Mortality of farmed scallops is discussed in relation to our observations of multiple environmental stressors in this upwelling-influenced area.


KEY WORDS: Calcification · Shell growth · Scallop farming · Upwelling · Chile


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Cite this article as: Lagos NA, Benítez S, Duarte C, Lardies MA and others (2016) Effects of temperature and ocean acidification on shell characteristics of Argopecten purpuratus: implications for scallop aquaculture in an upwelling-influenced area. Aquacult Environ Interact 8:357-370. https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00183

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