The IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Aurelia NICA; Ștefan PETREA; Isabelle METAXA; Alina ANTACHE; Ira SIMIONOV

Aurelia NICA Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, MoRAS Center, 800008, Galaţi, Romania
Ștefan PETREA Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, “REXDAN Center, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania
Isabelle METAXA Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, MoRAS Center, 800008, Galaţi, Romania
Alina ANTACHE Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, MoRAS Center, 800008, Galaţi, Romania
Ira SIMIONOV Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania

Keywords: climate change, impact, ecosystems, aquatic

Abstract

Climate change profoundly impacts aquatic ecosystems, both marine and freshwater, disrupting their
ecological balance and functions. The rise in global temperature influences species distribution, alters
the metabolism of aquatic organisms, and lowers dissolved oxygen levels, thereby promoting the
development of hypoxic zones. A significant consequence is ocean acidification, driven by the
excessive absorption of atmospheric CO₂. This process harms calcifying organisms such as corals and
molluscs, weakening their structures and disrupting marine food chains. Coral reefs, vital ecosystems
for biodiversity, are rapidly declining, impacting the human communities that rely on them.
Accelerated glacier melting is changing salinity and ocean circulation patterns, affecting nutrient
cycles and coastal marine habitats. Simultaneously, alterations in precipitation patterns and the
increasing frequency of droughts affect freshwater systems, leading to reduced flow, eutrophication,
and pollution, thereby negatively affecting biodiversity and water quality. Beyond ecological effects,
climate change carries significant socio-economic repercussions, influencing fisheries, tourism, water
supply, and food security. It is crucial to implement integrated adaptation and conservation strategies,
grounded in scientific research, to protect these vulnerable ecosystems and the essential services they
provide. Aquatic ecosystems provide vital services, including food, drinking water, climate regulation,
and protection against natural disasters.

The IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

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