On March 31, Adrien Hilmy from Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries spoke to students on the effects of ocean acidification on coastal ecosystems. Mr. Hilmy gave historical data on local ecosystems and juxtaposed it with future predictions. A focal point for students was learning how acidification will have economic impacts due to the high amount of commercial oyster fisheries.
Sixth grade ocean students learn about the unique hypersaline waters of the Laguna Madre. Mr. Hilmy surprised students with another unique feature of South Texas, worm rocks. Serpulid rocks are rocks built by generations of serpulid worms. Similar to hydrothermal vent tube worms, serpulid worms build shell tubes with each subsequent generation building on top of a previous worm tube. Baffin Bay is the only know bay in the world to host these serpulid rocks. Ocean acidification is degrading the unique rocks that provide the base for a thriving ecosystem of game fish.
Thank you to Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Programs Adrien Hilmy for talking to students. Everyone present gained a high appreciation of our unique local ecosystems.
