September 27, 2012

Sea urchins can cope with acidic waters




Genetic variability makes some marine organisms resilient to environmental change.

Rising acidity in the oceans is expected to have dire consequences for organisms like coral, but some sea urchins have the genetic tools to adapt to the inhospitable conditions, researchers have found. The result, presented Monday at the Third International Symposium on the Ocean in a High CO2 World in Monterey, California, is one of a few suggesting that some organisms are more resilient than others to changes in ocean acidity.