Climate change and ocean acidification—Interactions with aquatic toxicology

The possibilities for interactions between toxicants and ocean acidification are reviewed from two angles. First, it is considered how toxicant responses may affect ocean acidification by influencing the carbon dioxide balance. Second, it is introduced, how the possible changes in environmental conditions (temperature, pH and oxygenation), expected to be associated with climate change and ocean acidification, may interact with the toxicant responses of organisms, especially fish. One significant weakness in available data is that toxicological research has seldom been connected with ecological and physiological/biochemical research evaluating the responses of organisms to temperature, pH or oxygenation changes occurring in the natural environment. As a result, although there are significant potential interactions between toxicants and natural environmental responses pertaining to climate change and ocean acidification, it is very poorly known if such interactions actually occur, and can be behind the observed disturbances in the function and distribution of organisms in our seas.

► The possibilities of interaction between climate change and ocean acidification, and toxicant responses are reviewed.
► Although the review shows many potential interactions, these have been little explored.
► Toxicants may affect the carbon dioxide balance behind ocean acidification.
► Abiotic environmental changes associated with climate change and ocean acidification may affect the toxicant responses of organisms.