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Competitive fitness of a predominant pelagic calcifier impaired by ocean acidification

Nature Geoscience volume 10, pages 19–23 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Coccolithophores—single-celled calcifying phytoplankton—are an important group of marine primary producers and the dominant builders of calcium carbonate globally. Coccolithophores form extensive blooms and increase the density and sinking speed of organic matter via calcium carbonate ballasting. Thereby, they play a key role in the marine carbon cycle. Coccolithophore physiological responses to experimental ocean acidification have ranged from moderate stimulation to substantial decline in growth and calcification rates, combined with enhanced malformation of their calcite platelets. Here we report on a mesocosm experiment conducted in a Norwegian fjord in which we exposed a natural plankton community to a wide range of CO2-induced ocean acidification, to test whether these physiological responses affect the ecological success of coccolithophore populations. Under high-CO2 treatments, Emiliania huxleyi, the most abundant and productive coccolithophore species, declined in population size during the pre-bloom period and lost the ability to form blooms. As a result, particle sinking velocities declined by up to 30% and sedimented organic matter was reduced by up to 25% relative to controls. There were also strong reductions in seawater concentrations of the climate-active compound dimethylsulfide in CO2-enriched mesocosms. We conclude that ocean acidification can lower calcifying phytoplankton productivity, potentially creating a positive feedback to the climate system.

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Figure 1: Time course of key parameters in the mesocosms.
Figure 2: Responses of E. huxleyi to ocean acidification.
Figure 3: Effects on sinking particles.
Figure 4: Implications for vertical fluxes.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all participants of the Bergen Mesocosm Experiment 2011, in particular the KOSMOS team and the staff at the Marine Biological Station, University of Bergen for providing mesocosm logistics, technical assistance and support during sampling. This mesocosm study received financial support in the framework of the coordinated projects SOPRAN (Surface Ocean Processes in the ANthropocene) and BIOACID (Biological Impacts of Ocean ACIDification) funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). We thank S. Meyer for his support with scanning electron microscopy and G. Nondal for carbonate system measurements. A.Larsen received salary from the MINOS project funded by EU-ERC (project no. 250254), A.Larsen and R.G.J.B. from the core project BIOFEEDBACK of the Centre for Climate Dynamics (SKD) within the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research. R.G.J.B. received support from the EU Framework 7 EuroBASIN (EUROpean Basin-scale Analysis, Synthesis & Integration) project no. 264933. K.G.S. is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT120100384). We thank the captains and crews of RV Håkon Mosby (2011609), RV Alkor (AL376) and RV Heincke (HE360) for support during transport, deployment and recovery of the mesocosm facility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany

    Ulf Riebesell, Lennart T. Bach, J. Rafael Bermúdez Monsalve, Tim Boxhammer, Jan Czerny & Andrea Ludwig

  2. State Key Laboratory for Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 3663 Zhongshan N. Road, Shanghai 200062, China

    Richard G. J. Bellerby

  3. Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Thormøhlensgt. 53 D, 5006 Bergen, Norway

    Richard G. J. Bellerby

  4. Facultad de Ingeniería Marítima, Ciencias Biológicas, Oceánicas y Recursos Naturales. Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Litoral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, Ecuador

    J. Rafael Bermúdez Monsalve

  5. Hjort Centre for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Uni Research Environment, Nygaardsgaten 112, Bergen N-5008, Norway

    Aud Larsen

  6. Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore, New South Wales 2480, Australia

    Kai G. Schulz

Authors
  1. Ulf Riebesell
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Contributions

U.R. designed and coordinated the experiment and wrote the manuscript. U.R., L.T.B., J.R.B.M., T.B., J.C., A.Ludwig and K.G.S. carried out the mesocosm experiment. R.G.J.B. measured AT and CT. K.G.S. measured pH and calculated carbonate chemistry. A.Larsen measured E. huxleyi cell abundances. A.Ludwig measured chlorophyll a and inorganic nutrient concentrations. L.T.B. measured particle sinking rates and took scanning electron micrographs. J.R.B.M. determined phytoplankton composition and abundances. T.B. measured sedimentation rates. All authors contributed to the data analysis, discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ulf Riebesell.

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Riebesell, U., Bach, L., Bellerby, R. et al. Competitive fitness of a predominant pelagic calcifier impaired by ocean acidification. Nature Geosci 10, 19–23 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2854

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