Studying the Effect of CO_2-Induced Acidification on Sediment Toxicity Using Acute Amphipod Toxicity Test

摘要

Carbon capture and storage is increasingly being considered one of the most efficient approaches to mitigate the increase of CO_2 in the atmosphere associated with anthropogenic emissions. However, the environmental effects of potential CO_2 leaks remain largely unknown. The amphipod Ampelisca brevicornis was exposed to environmental sediments collected in different areas of the Gulf of Cadiz and subjected to several pH treatments to study the effects of CO_2-induced acidification on sediment toxicity. After 10 days of exposure, the results obtained indicated that high lethal effects were associated with the lowest pH treatments, except for the Ria of Huelva sediment test. The mobility of metals from sediment to the overlying seawater was correlated to a pH decrease. The data obtained revealed that CO_2-related acidification would lead to lethal effects on amphipods as well as the mobility of metals, which could increase sediment toxicity.