Carbon Dioxide Ruin Fish Brain

Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations continue to increase proven effect on the fish that live in the ocean. Thus the results of a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change recently.

“And now pretty clear that CO2 causes significant damage to the central nervous system of fish, which will impact the inability to survive,” said Phillip Muday, researchers,

“We found that the increase of CO2 dissolved in the ocean can affect neurotransmitter function directly, which would be a direct threat and had never known before,” said Munday.

Munday learn how the baby’s behavior or fish nemo clownfish and damselfish (Stegastes nigricans) in the middle of predators in an environment of high levels of CO2. Researchers found that the concentration of CO2 does affect the baby clownfish and damselfish.

“Our results indicate that the ability to smell the baby fish disturbed by the large concentration of CO2 in water, meaning that they are hard to find corals for shelter as well as detect the smell of fish predators,” said Munday.

The results also showed that the sense of hearing is also impaired due to fish the high CO2 levels. This causes the fish more vulnerable to predators. Meanwhile, the fish also lose the instinct to move to the left and right.

“This all shows us that instead of minor damage that occurs in their senses, but that high CO2 levels affect the entire central nervous system,” said Munday.

Munday said, 2.3 billion tons of CO2 dissolved in water each year. This will threaten fish and other marine organisms. This research was conducted by the Center of Excellence for Coral Reef, Australia.