Sea stars, along the Pacific coasts of California (Lopatto, 2014), are inevitably vulnerable to what scientists refer to as the “sea star wasting sickness.” Major ailments like this can hinder an ecosystem’s biological composure, considering the fact that sea stars are keystone species. Should the sea star succumb to such a major disturbance in their population, other species will be negatively impacted as well. Scientists are becoming very analytical as to what exactly is causing the endangerment. Several potential causes for this disease can involve the sea stars’ exposure to different environmental conditions (Venton, 2013) and infectious or virulent agents. Of the two, a virus is said to be the underlying cause according to marine virus
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However, once the virus begins depleting the species of its vital tools (cells used) to metabolize bacteria, they now become vulnerable to a disease that cannot be cured (yet). This is crucial because the same bacteria that once posed no threat may now jeopardize the sea stars’ health. This can be a highly probable cause. According to a research study conducted at Oregon State University, researcher Elizabeth Cherney confirmed that sea stars exposed to ocean water in museums were vulnerable to the disease (Hewson, 2014). In addition, sea stars that were exposed to the same quality of water were not in any way, shape, or form impaired when the water had been exposed to ultraviolet light, consequently killing the virulent agents. Everything as far as salinity remained the same, other than the exposure to UV light. Though possible, climate change can play a contributing factor to the onset of this disease with warmer temperatures as well. Increased acidity levels in the ocean water can intensify the outbreak by exposing their lack of immunity, and to a degree make them defenseless to the epidemic (Hewson, 2014). Therefore, warmer climates tend to aggravate the level of acidity in ocean waters (Suttle, …show more content…
Though not intentionally, humans are aggravating the epidemic in ways that don’t seem quite as distinct as the possibility of a virus lurking in the ocean. Instead, humans are contributing to global warming and its effect on coastal communities. Due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels (Brooks, 2011), oceans are beginning to absorb more and more heat. As greenhouse gases begin trapping CO2 emissions, the atmosphere begins fostering more heat, thus resulting in warmer climates (Ocko, 2013). Not to mention, deforestation practices are among one of several potential causes as well. Without the prevalence of trees and plants, trees that once inhabited a certain area can no longer use carbon dioxide. Typically, warmer climates result in higher acidity levels in the ocean. Aside from warmer temperatures, ocean acidification may also adversely affect pH levels through sewage disposal practices and agriculture (Ocko, 2013). The malpractice of dumping toxic substances into the ocean can intensify ocean acidification. Not to mention, acid rain is usually the underlying cause once these substances get released into the atmosphere in the form of gaseous byproducts. These factors may not be linked directly to the spread of the disease in sea star populations, but they sure do intensify the cause. As stated before, increased acidity can overwhelm the species and pose some serious side effects
However, once the virus begins depleting the species of its vital tools (cells used) to metabolize bacteria, they now become vulnerable to a disease that cannot be cured (yet). This is crucial because the same bacteria that once posed no threat may now jeopardize the sea stars’ health. This can be a highly probable cause. According to a research study conducted at Oregon State University, researcher Elizabeth Cherney confirmed that sea stars exposed to ocean water in museums were vulnerable to the disease (Hewson, 2014). In addition, sea stars that were exposed to the same quality of water were not in any way, shape, or form impaired when the water had been exposed to ultraviolet light, consequently killing the virulent agents. Everything as far as salinity remained the same, other than the exposure to UV light. Though possible, climate change can play a contributing factor to the onset of this disease with warmer temperatures as well. Increased acidity levels in the ocean water can intensify the outbreak by exposing their lack of immunity, and to a degree make them defenseless to the epidemic (Hewson, 2014). Therefore, warmer climates tend to aggravate the level of acidity in ocean waters (Suttle, …show more content…
Though not intentionally, humans are aggravating the epidemic in ways that don’t seem quite as distinct as the possibility of a virus lurking in the ocean. Instead, humans are contributing to global warming and its effect on coastal communities. Due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels (Brooks, 2011), oceans are beginning to absorb more and more heat. As greenhouse gases begin trapping CO2 emissions, the atmosphere begins fostering more heat, thus resulting in warmer climates (Ocko, 2013). Not to mention, deforestation practices are among one of several potential causes as well. Without the prevalence of trees and plants, trees that once inhabited a certain area can no longer use carbon dioxide. Typically, warmer climates result in higher acidity levels in the ocean. Aside from warmer temperatures, ocean acidification may also adversely affect pH levels through sewage disposal practices and agriculture (Ocko, 2013). The malpractice of dumping toxic substances into the ocean can intensify ocean acidification. Not to mention, acid rain is usually the underlying cause once these substances get released into the atmosphere in the form of gaseous byproducts. These factors may not be linked directly to the spread of the disease in sea star populations, but they sure do intensify the cause. As stated before, increased acidity can overwhelm the species and pose some serious side effects