Title:

New Hampshire Shellfish Under Pressure: Physiological Effects of Climate Change and Toxic Algal Blooms

Climate change driven effects on the ocean, including warming water, acidification, and changes in the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are causing metabolic pressures on marine organisms, particularly in the Gulf of Maine. Shellfish are susceptible to these pressures because their metabolic processes including growth and respiration are influenced by water temperature, pH, and consumption of algal toxins. This study investigates the effects of ocean warming, acidification, and diet toxicity level on the growth and respiration of Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and Sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus). Selected individuals were subjected to water treatments simulating ambient summer conditions, warming, acidification, or a combination of warming and acidification; as well as phytoplankton diets of varying saxitoxin concentrations derived from Alexandrium fundyense. Morphometric measurements were taken before and after experimentation, and respiration rates were measured post-experimentation. Species-specific differences and significant treatment effects were found in growth and respiration. Weight was the only growth metric that showed a species-treatment interaction. Scallops demonstrated a reduction in weight and respiration under acidified and multi treatments but showed increases in shell growth regardless of treatment. Acidification likely caused a stress response resulting in metabolic depression and weight loss. Diet did not significantly affect growth or respiration. These findings aim to understand the effects of ocean stressors on shellfish physiology while providing insight to the shellfish industry in New Hampshire on the potential impacts from these predicted future conditions.

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