Ishimatsu et al., 2004:

"CO₂ enriched seawater was far more toxic to eggs and larvae of a marine fish, silver seabream, Pagrus major, than HCl-acidified seawater when tested at the same seawater pH. Data on the effects of acidified seawater can therefore not be used to estimate the toxicity of CO₂, as has been done in earlier studies. Ontogenetic changes in CO₂ tolerance of two marine bony fishes (Pag. major and Japanese sillago, Sillago japonica) showed a similar, characteristic pattern: the cleavage and juvenile stages were most susceptible, whereas the preflexion and flexion stages were much more tolerant to CO₂. Adult Japanese amberjack, Seriola quinqueradiata, and bastard halibut, Paralichthys olivaceus, died within eight and 48 h, respectively, during exposure to seawater equilibrated with five per cent CO₂. Only 20 per cent of a cartilaginous fish, starspotted smoothhound, Mustelus manazo, died at seven per cent CO₂ within 72 h. Arterial pH initially decreased but completely recovered within 1–24 h for Ser. quinqueradiata and Par. olivaceus at one and three per cent CO₂, but the recovery was slower and complete only at one per cent for M. manazo. During exposure to five per cent CO₂, Par. olivaceus died after arterial pH had been completely restored. Exposure to five per cent CO₂ rapidly depressed the cardiac output of Ser. quinqueradiata, while one per cet CO₂ had no effect. Both levels of ambient CO₂ had no effect on blood O₂ levels. We tentatively conclude that cardiac failure is important in the mechanisms by which CO₂ kills fish. High CO₂ levels near injection points during CO₂ ocean sequestration are likely to have acute deleterious effects on both larvae and adults of marine fishes."

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Citation and/or URL

Ishimatsu, A., Kikkawa, T., Hayashi, M., Lee, K. and Kita, J. 2004, Effects of CO2 on marine fish: larvae and adults, Journal of Oceanography 60(4): 731-741.   

Spatial Coverage

Temperate waters off Japan

Temporal Coverage

2003 

Update Frequency

Not applicable 

Other Information

None