To evaluate the effect of elevated pCO(2) exposure on the juvenile growth of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus, we reared individuals for three months in one of three target pCO(2) levels: ambient seawater (380 µatm) and two scenarios that are projected to occur by the middle (560 µatm) and end (800 µatm) of this century. At the end of 89 days, urchins reared at ambient pCO(2) weighed 12% more than those reared at 560 µatm and 28% more than those reared at 800 µatm. Skeletons were analyzed using scanning electron miscroscopy, revealing degradation of spines in urchins reared at elevated pCO(2) (800 µatm). Our results indicate that elevated pCO(2) levels projected to occur this century may adversely affect the development of juvenile sea urchins. Acidification-induced changes to juvenile urchin development would likely impair performance and functioning of juvenile stages with implications for adult populations.

中文翻译：

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暴露于近期海洋酸化情景的热带海胆 Lytechinus variegatus 的幼年生长

为了评估升高的 pCO(2) 暴露对海胆 Lytechinus variegatus 幼鱼生长的影响，我们在三个目标 pCO(2) 水平之一中饲养个体三个月：环境海水 (380 µatm) 和两种情况预计将在本世纪中期 (560 µatm) 和末 (800 µatm) 发生。在 89 天结束时，在环境 pCO(2) 条件下饲养的海胆比在 560 µatm 条件下饲养的海胆重 12%，比在 800 µatm 条件下饲养的海胆重 28%。使用扫描电子显微镜对骨骼进行了分析，揭示了在升高的 pCO(2) (800 µatm) 下饲养的海胆的棘退化。我们的研究结果表明，预计本世纪发生的 pCO(2) 水平升高可能会对幼年海胆的发育产生不利影响。