Posted on 03/20/2007 8:54:20 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Oysters and mussels, two pearls of France's gastronomic heritage, are in danger of dying out because of rising greenhouse gas levels in seawater, say scientists.
French and Dutch researchers found that rapidly rising concentrations of carbon dioxide in seawater is having potentially devastating effects on the lifecycles of both types of shellfish, slowing down their growth and weakening their shells, leaving them vulnerable to predators.
This is the first time this effect has been shown on shellfish, the researchers say.
The study, conducted by France's CNRS research centre with the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, shows that higher carbonic acid levels in the ocean increase acidity, which makes it harder for the molluscs to calcify their shells. All sea life needing calcium carbonate for its shell, including coral, is at risk.
Oceans absorb a third of the atmosphere's carbon dioxide. Levels have risen by 30 per cent since the beginning of the industrial revolution, but could increase by up to four times by the end of the century.
If the amount absorbed only doubles, mussel growth will drop by a quarter and oysters by 10 per cent by 2100. But at higher carbone dioxide concentrations, mussel shells may dissolve completely, the researchers found. Oysters are less affected, as they use another crystalline form of calcium carbonate for their shells.
France produces 200,000 tons of shellfish annually, amounting to £450 million in revenue. The industry employs around 20,000 people.
The image of French oysters suffered last year when authorities banned the sale of them in Arcachon, south-west France, after two suspect deaths. It was later established that there was no link with oyster consumption.
They could always switch to the monster crabs that are marching southward along the Norwegean coast. Global warming/cooling/climate change hasn't seemed to have put them off their feed.
Stalin's Last Army: Hordes of gigantic crabs on their way to invade Europe http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1791098/posts
I surfed upon a moonbat site that was saying the same kind of things...the ocean is going to become too acidic because of carbon dioxide absorption and the fish are all gonna die. Sounds like the environweenies have a backup plan if warming doesn't pan out.
This is Cr@p...
Warmer waters contain LESS CO2 due to liquid inability to retain high gas levels. As water warms it RELEASES gasses (CO2). If global warming were true, there would be less CO2 in the water....
DUHHHH....
MMMMM.....
Seafood....
CO2 causes global stupidity
In addition, cabonate is a buffer, so the pH will only drop to a certain point and then quit decreasing.
"Global warming" is out as a term. It is debunked. We are now into "climate change" caused by "greenhouse gasses" caused by carbon burning.
Maybe the oceans aren't getting warmer but colder. Colder absorbs more CO2?
No matter. The whackos merely change the terminology or the terms.
WE ARE DOOMED, I TELL YOU!!! DOOMED!!!
I must spend everything I have before I die, then take from others who have more than I. Heaven on earth I tell you. I don't like a polluted heaven.
I guess the French will just have to eat more frogs;)
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