Evaluation of pH adaptation mechanism using pH tolerant marine organisms

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Establishment of pH Biology
• Project/Area Number: 20H05790
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Transformative Research Areas, Section (III)
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Kurihara Haruko 琉球大学, 理学部, 教授 (40397568)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 久保田 好美 独立行政法人国立科学博物館, 地学研究部, 研究主幹 (80710946)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-10-02 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: pH / 気候変動 / 海洋環境 / サンゴ / 有孔虫 / 進化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Increased atmospheric CO2 is now threatening the marine ecosystem by causing ocean acidification. Meanwhile, ocean pH is known to have changed dramatically throughout Earth's history. In this study, we aimed to assess the response of organisms to changes in seawater pH using marine organisms (corals) living in natural low pH analogues. In addition, fossil foraminifera, which are thought to have survived the pH era, and benthic foraminifera, which live in deep waters with a low pH environment. The results suggest that changes in seawater pH can be a major stress on organisms, but can also cause adaptation and evolution of marine organisms.

Free Research Field

海洋環境

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，社会活動に伴う気候変動によって，海洋生物や生態系が将来どのような応答を示す可能性があるのかを予測するのに役に立つだけでなく，その適応策を考案する上で貴重な科学的データを提供する。さらには現在みられる多様な生物種が過去の大気CO2濃度などの地球環境の変動と共にどのように進化してきたのかそのプロセスを解明する上での科学的なデータが得られた点で重要な成果が得られたと言える。