Mussel byssus attachment weakened by ocean acidification

Biomaterial function depends on biological, chemical and environmental factors during formation and subsequent use. Ocean acidification has been shown to affect secreted calcium carbonate, but effects on other biomaterials are less well known. Research now reveals that proteinaceous byssal threads—used to anchor mytilid mussels to hard substrates—exhibited reduced mechanical performance when secreted under elevated pCO2 conditions.

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