Un puente hacia el futuro: islas volcánicas como laboratorios naturales

Abstract

We know that oceanic islands are perfect as model system to understand ecological, evolutionary and conservation process. In the present work, it is intended to go farther and emphasize the importance of volcanic island as natural laboratory to study the ocean acidification (OA). Under certain conditions, the volcanic activity creates a vent system in islands which emitting gases rich in CO₂. Therefore, it creates a future scenario where chemical characteristic expected will appear, such as lower pH and lower concentrations of aragonite and calcite. Here, I present 22 vent systems located on volcanic islands distributed all over the world. Each of them has been studied to discover the negative impact of OA in marine organisms. Overcoming in vitro experiments, the investigation of vent has offered the possibilities of understanding the future. To comprehend how an entire community is adapted and developed with different interactions of species and ecological functions under continuous acidity. I am facing another proof that the islands are unique places that help us to obtain new solutions to maintain and preserve life on our planet.