Ocean acidification leaves fish lost at sea

Associate Professor Ivan Nagelkerken, Professor Sean Connell, Tullio Rossi and Jennifer Pistevos from the University of Adelaide were involved in an article published in the journal Biology Letters, entitled, "Lost at sea: ocean acidification undermines larval fish orientation via altered hearing and marine soundscape modification."

Their research highlights future complications for fish due to stresses of climate change on the marine environment.

The study shows that due to rising CO2 levels, ocean acidification impacts marine soundscapes by diminishing biological sound production. Without the sound cues available, baby fish will be unable to find a suitable habitat to settle into and grow into adulthood, thereby impacting fish population replenishment in the future.

Read the full article.

This study has also been reported in a recent ABC News story.

(Image credit: Steve Simpson)