As outlined in the lecture, global warming leads to ocean acidification, which is lowering the ocean’s pH level and causing damage to coral and other ocean life. Many animals in the ocean use calcium carbonate to create their protective shells and exoskeletons, but lower pH levels reduce their ability to create them. While much of ocean life will suffer from ocean acidification, one animal is adapting and fighting back against ocean acidification with mixed results.

The ordinary mussel is adapting to lower pH levels. The mussel is creating more amorphous calcium carbonate to compensate for lower pH levels destroying their shells. Since amorphous calcium carbonate is much more unstable than regular calcium carbonate, the shells are becoming much more brittle and less flexible than previously. This can lead to more breakage in heavy seas and leaves them more susceptible to predators.

While it does seem that mussels are fighting back, it probably is not enough to prepare them for even lower pH levels. This experiment also does not take into account the other effects if ocean acidification and how this can reduce the mussels food source. In addition, the repair function of amorphous calcium carbonate is still lacking. I think the takeaway message from this article is that even with climate change, some animals are trying to adapt. If we slow down climate change or halt it where it is at, there may be ways for the world to adapt.

Resource:
http://phys.org/news/2016-02-mussels-oceanic-acidification.html