Evaluating the Effects of Ocean Acidification on the Mechanical Properties of King Crabs and Tanner Crabs

Abstract

Ocean Acidification (OA) is a decrease in the ocean’s pH caused by increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Dissolution of CO2 in ocean water results in decreased CaCO3 saturation states, which affect the ability of calcifying organisms to form mineralized tissue. Here, we test the hypothesis that decreasing seawater pH will result in altered hardness, thickness, and structural properties of the mineralized endocuticle and exocuticle of commercially important crabs (Tanner crabs and Blue King crabs).