Phytoplankton calcification in a high-CO2 world.
Ocean acidification in response to rising atmospheric CO2 partial pressures is widely expected to reduce calcification by marine organisms. From the mid-Mesozoic, coccolithophores have been major calcium carbonate producers in the world's oceans, today accounting for about a third of the total marine CaCO3 production. Here, we present laboratory evidence that calcification and net primary production in the coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi are significantly increased by high CO2 partial pressures. Field evidence from the deep ocean is consistent with these laboratory conclusions, indicating that over the past 220 years there has been a 40% increase in average coccolith mass. Our findings show that coccolithophores are already responding and will probably continue to respond to rising atmospheric CO2 partial pressures, which has important implications for biogeochemical modeling of future oceans and climate.
Iglesias-Rodriguez
M Debora
MD
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
Halloran
Paul R
PR
Rickaby
Rosalind E M
RE
Hall
Ian R
IR
Colmenero-Hidalgo
Elena
E
Gittins
John R
JR
Green
Darryl R H
DR
Tyrrell
Toby
T
Gibbs
Samantha J
SJ
von Dassow
Peter
P
Rehm
Eric
E
Armbrust
E Virginia
EV
Boessenkool
Karin P
KP
D001272:Atmosphere; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002119:Calcium Carbonate