Fish may be more tolerant than previously thought to periods of low oxygen in the oceans, new research shows.
Fish may be more tolerant than previously thought to periods of low oxygen in the oceans, new research shows.
The surprising discovery, from research by the University of Exeter and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), was made when investigating the importance of carbon dioxide (CO2) during “hypoxic” (low oxygen) events.
The study shows that natural increases of carbon dioxide during low oxygen events make sea bass 20% more tolerant to hypoxia.
Researchers believe this occurs because the blood chemistry of sea bass changes in response to higher CO2 levels.
Read more at University of Exeter
Image: This is lead researcher Daniel Montgomery measuring blood chemistry of sea bass during the study. (Credit: University of Exeter)
