This week, while researching about ocean
acidification, I came across something interesting (at least to me it’s
interesting) about the increase sighting of jellyfish! To me, jellyfish are
always fascinating, the way they look so different from other marine organisms,
the way they grow and survive and move around, and how such a cool creature
could be so deathly to humans.
Just a few days ago, the public were generally shocked
to spot gigantic jellyfish washed up along Britain beaches, and are also concerned if there could be
more in the shallow waters of the beaches. This species, the
barrel jellyfish, is one of the largest and although they are not harmful in
their stings, public were warned against touching them with bare hands. How I wish I could see one myself too!
Speculations have been made that human activity
such as aquaculture or the causation of eutrophication may increase jellyfish
population as well, as jellyfish feed on smaller phytoplankton and zooplankton.
Correlations have also been observed where an increase in temperature and
decease in pH increase jellyfish occurrences. While many marine animals are
going to be badly affected by increasing acidity levels in the ocean, jellyfish
seemed to be immune and instead, move in to fill the
ecological niche. Although jellyfish overpopulation could lead to more problems and major complications, it is still interesting to know that ocean acidification could benefit jellyfish growth!
References
Attrill, Martin J,
Jade Wright, and Martin Edwards. "Climate-Related Increases in Jellyfish
Frequency Suggest a More Gelatinous Future for the North Sea." Limnology and Oceanography 52, no. 1
(2007): 480-85.
Dassanayake, Dion.
"Giant Jellyfish Swarming to British Beaches Because of 'Plankton
Boom'." Daily Express, 2014.
Derbyshire, David.
"Jellyfish Are Taking over the Oceans: Population Surge as Rising Acidity
of World's Seas Kills Predators." Daily
Mail, 2010.
Purcell,
Jennifer E, Shin-ichi Uye, and Wen-Tseng Lo. "Anthropogenic Causes of
Jellyfish Blooms and Their Direct Consequences for Humans: A Review." MARINE ECOLOGY-PROGRESS SERIES- 350
(2007): 153.
