Ocean Acidification: Effects on Sponges

Lena A. Donnarumma, Joseph Henry, Joshua Patterson, Shelly Krueger, Lisa Krimsky, and Shirley Baker

Release Date: 6/12/2024

DOI: 10.32473/edis-fa263-2024

Natural Resources

Abstract

Approximately 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the world’s oceans. As CO2 emissions increase due to human activities so does the amount of CO2 absorbed by the oceans. Carbon dioxide lowers the pH of the ocean system, causing ocean acidification (OA). The effects of OA on economically and ecologically important aquatic species is a subject of interest. Sponges are important reef-associated species that provide shelter for fish and crustaceans in reef habitats and can also structure ecosystems through bioerosion, water filtration, and colonization of coral reef areas. This publication considers the effects of OA on marine sponges, with a focus on Florida’s coral reef.

About this Publication

This document is FA263, one of a series of the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and the Florida Sea Grant College Program. Original publication date June 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2024 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

About the Authors

Lena A. Donnarumma, graduate student, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; Joseph Henry, executive director, Triton Society; Joshua Patterson, associate professor, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, , Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; Shelly Krueger, UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County agent, Florida Sea Grant; Lisa Krimsky, UF/IFAS Extension regional specialized agent, Florida Sea Grant; and Shirley Baker, professor, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and associate program leader for natural resources Extension; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, Florida 32611.

How to Cite

Donnarumma, L. A., Henry, J., Patterson, J., Krueger, S., Krimsky, L., & Baker, S. (2024). Ocean Acidification: Effects on Sponges. EDIS, 2024(3). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fa263-2024

Authors

Lena A. Donnarumma

graduate student, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Gainesville, FL

Joseph Henry

executive director, Triton Oceanic Exploration Society, Bradenton, FL

Joshua Patterson

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, aquaculture, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant, The Florida Aquarium's Center for Conservation

View Joshua Patterson's Profile

Shelly Krueger

County agent

University of Florida

UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant agent, UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County

View Shelly Krueger's Profile