What is global warming’s impact on lobsters?
The concept of global warming is the idea that Earth’s atmosphere will grow warmer and the concentration of carbon dioxide will continue to increase. With this, global sea temperatures will rise, which will cause the ocean water to become more acidic. As expected, this is not good for the animals living in the sea. For example, lobsters are dependent on drawing calcium carbonate from the water in order to build their shells. However, if the waters become more acidic, the lobsters will have to work harder to build their shells, taking energy away from searching for food. In addition, while scientists have known about the predicted increase in ocean acidity, they are still unsure how it will affect lobsters in the Gulf of Maine.
Source: http://oceanacidification.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/global-warming’s-impact-on-lobsters-has-scientists-in-a-stew/
What is the impact of warm water on cold water lobsters?
There are two different types of lobster - Spiny lobsters, which are found in warm waters such as the Caribbean, and Clawed lobsters found in cold waters, such as Maine. Clawed lobsters are cold-blooded, as a result of their body temperatures being determined by the water they live in. Many parts of the lobsters’ life such as a food and reproduction is dependent on the temperature of the ocean floor. If the cold-water lobsters are living in higher temperatures, they will need to use more energy for respiration. This will leave them with less energy to grow and reproduce. In addition, the habits of the lobsters will fluctuate with temperature. They are likely to move toward higher latitudes or to areas cooled by tidal mixing. Thus, they are still on the hunt for colder temperatures.
What is the issue with “lobster shell disease”?
Scientists have been able to, through seen evidence, link rising ocean water temperatures to the spread of lobster shell disease in Massachusetts waters. Lobster shell disease has become increasingly more common over the years. This disease is caused by bacterial infection in the carapace. In addition, a new type of shell disease was discovered in the late 1990’s in New England when temperatures were higher than before. The more threatening temperatures are when the waters exceed 20 degrees Celsius, or 68 degrees Farehnheit. This disease also impacts the lobsters growth, promoting sexual maturity earlier than it would have naturally been. Overall, lobster shell disease is caused by the increasing water temperatures as a result of global warming, and is unsafe for the creatures affected.
Cool to learn about how cold water and warm water affects the different types of lobsters.
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