title: Phytoplankton calcification in a high-CO2 world.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
authors.forename: M Debora
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Iglesias-Rodriguez
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Halloran
authors.forename: Rosalind E M
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Rickaby
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colmenero-Hidalgo
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gittins
authors.forename: Darryl R H
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Toby
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: von Dassow
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rehm
authors.forename: E Virginia
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Armbrust
authors.forename: Karin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Boessenkool
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002119:Calcium Carbonate