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Biological impacts of ocean acidification: a postgraduate perspective on research priorities

  • Review, Concept, and Synthesis
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Abstract

Research into the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on marine organisms has greatly increased during the past decade, as realization of the potential dramatic impacts has grown. Studies have revealed the multifarious responses of organisms to OA conditions, indicating a high level of intra- and interspecific variation in species’ ability to accommodate these alterations. If we are to provide policy makers with sound, scientific input regarding the expected consequences of OA, we need a broader understanding of these predicted changes. As a group of 20 multi-disciplinary postgraduate students from around the globe, with a study focus on OA, we are a strong representation of ‘next generation’ scientists in this field. In this unique cumulative paper, we review knowledge gaps in terms of assessing the biological impacts of OA, outlining directions for future research.

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Acknowledgments

The ‘acidification in aquatic environments’ workshop was sponsored by the Fram Centre, the Norwegian Polar Institute, the Institute of Marine Research, the Bjerknes Centre, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Avkaplan-NIVA, NOFIMA Marin, the University of Tromsø and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists. We would like to give special acknowledgements to the organizing committee; Howard Browman, Clara Manno, Richard Bellerby, JoLynn Carroll, Kai Sorensen and Helge Tveiten and finally thank Sam Dupont and two anonymous reviewers for their comments on this manuscript.

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Garrard, S.L., Hunter, R.C., Frommel, A.Y. et al. Biological impacts of ocean acidification: a postgraduate perspective on research priorities. Mar Biol 160, 1789–1805 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2033-3

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