Combined effects of ocean acidification, warming, and salinity on the fertilization success in an Arctic population of sea urchins.

ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic stressors, including ocean acidification (OA), ocean warming (OW), and salinity changes, are rapidly altering marine ecosystems, with Arctic regions being particularly vulnerable. This study investigates the combined effects of these stressors on the fertilization success of the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. We exposed gametes to various levels of pH, temperature, and salinity to assess their individual and combined impacts on fertilization performance. Our results show that temperature and pH significantly influenced fertilization success, with temperature having the strongest effect, while salinity had no significant impact. A significant statistical interaction between temperature and pH indicated that warming enhanced fe

SUBMITTER: Espinel-Velasco N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12715215 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature