Starfish Could Be Drowning as Climate Change Leads to Oceans Warming
FOLLOW US ON:
Though many people still deny there is any climate change, effects of global warming can be observed all across the planet. The latest confirmed victim of rising temperature is starfish.
According to new research, starfish are going through sea star wasting disease (SSWD). The study suggests they could be in respiratory distress where they “drown” in their habitat. While the obvious question is how can a sea creature drown, the answer lies in their breathing mechanism.
One of the scientists from Cornell University, Microbiology professor Ian Hewson explains how these ancient creatures breathe. The sea dwellers have structures known as papulae, or skin gills, on their body surface. Through these structures, they diffuse oxygen into their body. “If there is not enough oxygen surrounding the papulae, the starfish can’t breathe,” Hewson explains in a statement published on the Cornell Uni
Starfish Could be in Respiratory Distress Due to Warming Ocean, Organic matter
Written by AZoCleantechJan 7 2021
Across the globe, a mysterious wasting disease has almost destroyed sea star populations for over seven years. A few of these species are now on the verge of extinction.
A healthy starfish is presented in Ian Hewson’s laboratory. Sea stars along the Pacific Coast are not so fortunate, as large amounts of organic matter may be robbing them of an ability to breathe. Image Credit: Ian Hewson Laboratory/Provided.
A new study under the guidance of Cornell University indicates that starfish, victims of sea star wasting disease (SSWD), might be in respiratory distress literally drowning in their own habitats as increased microbial activity caused by proximate organic matter and warm ocean temperatures suppress the potential of the creatures to breathe.
January 6, 2021
For more than seven years, a mysterious wasting disease has nearly killed off sea star populations around the world. Some of these species stand at the brink of extinction.
New Cornell-led research suggests that starfish, victims of sea star wasting disease (SSWD), may actually be in respiratory distress – literally “drowning” in their own environment – as elevated microbial activity derived from nearby organic matter and warm ocean temperatures rob the creatures of their ability to breathe. Ian Hewson Laboratory/Provided
A healthy starfish is presented in Ian Hewson s laboratory. Sea stars along the Pacific Coast are not so fortunate, as large amounts of organic matter may be robbing them of an ability to breathe.
E-Mail
ITHACA, N.Y. - For more than seven years, a mysterious wasting disease has nearly killed off sea star populations around the world. Some of these species stand at the brink of extinction.
New Cornell University-led research suggests that starfish, victims of sea star wasting disease (SSWD), may actually be in respiratory distress - literally drowning in their own environment - as elevated microbial activity derived from nearby organic matter and warm ocean temperatures rob the creatures of their ability to breathe. As humans, we breathe, we ventilate, we bring air into our lungs and we exhale, said Ian Hewson, professor of microbiology at Cornell University. Sea stars diffuse oxygen over their outer surface through little structures called papulae, or skin gills. If there is not enough oxygen surrounding the papulae, the starfish can t breathe.