Copepod oxygen consumption along a salinity gradient

Climate change-induced salinity decrease is currently occurring in many estuarine coastal zones, due to increased outflow of freshwater. This freshening can be a problem for brackish-water animals, already living on the edge their tolerance. We measured oxygen consumption common copepod Eurytemora affinis along natural gradient western Gulf Finland. The varied between 3 inner bay and 7 offshore area gradient, pH 7.05 7.86. Our results show that respiration with decreasing salinity, as expected genus more commonly found estuarine/saline waters, even if it has colonised brackish waters. suggest future could enhance rate, so energy requirements, large-bodied zooplankton areas such Baltic Sea lead lower food quality availability planktivorous fish, herring sprat.