Mussels May Hold Secret to Slowing Ocean Acidification A new study has found that mussels may hold the key to slowing ocean acidification. The research, which was conducted by a team of scientists from the University of California Santa Barbara, looked at the ability of mussels to create aragonite, a mineral that helps to buffer ocean acidification. The researchers found that mussels were able to create aragonite even in high levels of acidity, and that they were also able to do so faster than other marine creatures. This could be good news for the future of the ocean, as mussels are a major food source for many marine animals. The researchers say that more studies need to be done in order to determine just how much of an impact mussels can have on ocean acidification. But they believe that if Mussels can indeed slow down acidification then they may serve as an important "insurance policy" for marine ecosystems. NOAA: Pacific Northwest mussel farms worth $111 mi...
Mussels Recovered From the Wreckage of the Titanic A recent study has revealed that the wreck of the Titanic is teeming with mussels. These mollusks were found to be thriving in the cold and dark waters, despite the high levels of pollution. The discovery was made by a team of scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). They used underwater robots to explore the wreckage and collect samples of the mussels. The team was surprised to find that the mussels were not affected by the pollution. Their shells were intact and they showed no evidence of having ingested any pollutants. The scientists believe that the mussels are able to thrive in these harsh conditions because they have a thick layer of insulation that protects them from the cold and predators. This is not the first time that mussels have been found thriving in extreme environments. In recent years, they have been discovered on Mount Everest, in antarctic waters, and in radioactive waste sites. This n...