Researchers at the American Museum of Natural History have discovered that the porosity in mussel shells along the East Coast of the United States has been increasing over the last 120 years, possibly due to warming waters. This finding is crucial because mussels play vital roles in ecosystems, such as providing habitats on reefs, filtering water, and protecting coasts during storms. The study, published in PLOS ONE, compared modern mussel shells with specimens from the Museum’s historic collection, revealing significant changes in shell porosity over time.
Leanne Melbourne, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at the Museum, emphasized the importance of understanding the risks posed by human-caused environmental changes to mussel populations. Mussels are not only commercially valuable but also contribute to the health of marine ecosystems. The increase in shell porosity observed in this study raises concerns about the ability of mussels to form strong shells, which could have detrimental effects on their survival in the future.
Previous studies on the blue mussel have focused on the impacts of ocean warming and acidification on these marine invertebrates through lab experiments. However, Melbourne utilized the Museum’s extensive bivalve collection to track environmental changes in natural settings over a long period. This approach allowed researchers to observe how mussels in their natural habitats are slowly exposed to changing conditions and have more time to adapt, unlike lab-based studies that focus on individual stressors.
By comparing shells collected in the early 1900s and the 1960s with modern samples from the same sites along the East Coast, Melbourne found that shells today are significantly more porous than those from previous decades. The study suggests that increases in temperature have led to the higher porosity observed in modern shells, with seasonal temperature increases of up to 3 degrees Celsius since 1902. The variations in porosity in historical specimens can be attributed to factors like the North Atlantic Oscillation, which brought colder-than-expected water temperatures in the 1960s.
The porosity of mussel shells can impact their structural integrity, making them weaker and more susceptible to damage. This could potentially lead to a loss of mussel populations and the important ecosystem services they provide. Further research is needed to understand how temperature changes are affecting mussel populations, particularly on a materials science level. It is crucial to investigate the mechanisms behind the increase in shell porosity to develop strategies for protecting these valuable marine organisms and the ecosystems they support.
In conclusion, the study conducted by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History highlights the concerning trend of increasing porosity in mussel shells along the East Coast of the United States over the last century. This finding underscores the urgent need to address human-caused environmental changes that may be impacting the ability of mussels to form strong shells. By utilizing historical collections and comparing them with modern samples, researchers were able to identify significant changes in shell porosity, indicating potential impacts of temperature increases on mussel populations. Further research is essential to understand the implications of these findings and develop conservation strategies to protect mussels and the ecosystems they inhabit.
