Effects of elevated carbon dioxide on the hematological parameters of a temperate catshark.

Atmospheric CO levels have been rising due to an increase in anthropic activities and its implications over marine ecosystems are unprecedented. The present study focused on the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on key hematological parameters of the juvenile small-spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula). Eggs were reared throughout the entire embryogenesis (~4 months) plus 5 additional months, in two experimental treatments (control: pCO  ~ 400 μatm; and high CO : pCO  ~ 900 μatm, Δ -0.