The effects of ocean acidification and increased temperatures on the survival, growth, and morphology of red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) (NCEI Accession 0170753)

To determine the effects of near-future ocean acidification and warming temperature on young of the year red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) survival, growth, and morphology, we conducted a long-term (184 d) fully crossed experiment with two pHs and three temperatures: ambient pH (~7.99), pH 7.8, ambient temperature, ambient +2 degrees Celsius, and ambient +4 degrees Celsius, for a total of 6 treatments.

Mortality rate increased with both reduced pH and by higher temperatures, but interpretation of the ultistressor effects is not straightforward as a clear trend was not observed. A synergetic effect was observed; the pH 7.8 and ambient +4 degrees Celsius temperature treatment had the lowest survival, with only 3% surviving to the end of the experiment. However, antagonistic effects were observed in the pH 7.8 ambient +2 degrees Celsius temperature treatment; the mortality rate in this treatment was less than the mortality rate of each of the stressors individually.