The impact of climate change on the blobfish...and what would happen if we lost it?

2023-12-27 2023-12-27T07:36:23Z

Weather of Arabia - By studying the remains of utensils left in mummification workshops, scientists were able to discover the materials and mixtures that the ancient Egyptians used in mummification operations. Thanks to chemical analysis of the organic materials remaining in the vessels, it has been shown that the ancient Egyptians relied on a wide range of substances to anoint the bodies of the dead after their death, with the aim of reducing unpleasant odors and protecting them from damage and decay.

Identified ingredients include vegetable oils such as juniper, cypress and cedar, as well as resins from pistachio trees, animal fats and beeswax. The study also showed that the components used were diverse and were not limited to sources in Egypt only, but rather extended to more distant regions, indicating the exchange of goods over long distances.

Are bubble fish affected by climate change?

Like other marine organisms, the blobfish is indirectly affected by climate change.

Ocean acidity

The oceans play an important role as absorbers of carbon dioxide, which contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change. However, the absorption of this gas results in an increase in the acidity of ocean water, due to a decrease in pH. This change in acidity causes negative effects on marine life in general, including the bubble fish, which suffers from changes in the acidity of its surroundings, whose acidity is accustomed to being stable.

Temperature changes

The effects of global warming are linked to rising temperatures in the oceans, and although the bubble fish has adapted to live in cold depths, these depths may be affected by increasing temperatures. Temperature increases, especially with warm water currents, can change the nature of the depths to which a fish is accustomed. Consequently, these new depths may become less cold, which can force the blobfish to move to cooler, more stable depths.

Climate change threatens the blobfish's diet

Being a lazy fish that feeds on small marine creatures such as crustaceans, the bubble fish's food may be vulnerable. Their food is particularly affected by climate changes, especially since crustaceans are sensitive to these changes and their behavior and physiological responses are affected. A study published in Environmental Evidence in March 2022 makes this clear.

Human impact on the blobfish

Humans pose a major threat to the blobfish, as it accidentally sneaks into fishing nets and is an unwanted target, and since it is not a fish targeted by humans for food purposes, it loses its life in vain. In addition, dumping polluted plastics into the ocean poses a threat to their survival.

What would happen if we lost the bubble fish?

Some individuals view the blobfish as insignificant and that its presence or absence does not affect the ecosystem. But it turns out that its absence will cause the loss of a large part of the ecological balance. The presence of bubble fish contributes to the purification of water from mollusks, and with an increase in the number of mollusks, a collapse in the food web can occur, which can even affect humans, especially since some mollusks may be toxic to humans due to eating some types of toxic algae. Therefore, these organisms need to be conserved to maintain the balance of the environment.