Temperature dependence of CO2-enhanced primary production in the European Arctic Ocean (video)
Published 11 December 2015 Science Leave a CommentMarine microphytobenthic assemblage shift along a natural shallow-water CO2 gradient subjected to multiple environmental stressors
Published 11 December 2015 Science Leave a CommentTags: abundance, biological response, BRcommunity, community composition, field, Mediterranean, otherprocess, photosynthesis, phytoplankton, prokaryotes
Predicting the effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on coastal ecosystems requires an understanding of the responses of algae, since these are a vital functional component of shallow-water habitats. We investigated microphytobenthic assemblages on rock and sandy habitats along a shallow subtidal pCO2 gradient near volcanic seeps in the Mediterranean Sea. Field studies of natural pCO2 gradients help us understand the likely effects of ocean acidification because entire communities are subjected to a realistic suite of environmental stressors such as over-fishing and coastal pollution. Temperature, total alkalinity, salinity, light levels and sediment properties were similar at our study sites. On sand and on rock, benthic diatom abundance and the photosynthetic standing crop of biofilms increased significantly with increasing pCO2. There were also marked shifts in diatom community composition as pCO2 levels increased. Cyanobacterial abundance was only elevated at extremely high levels of pCO2 (>1400 μatm). This is the first demonstration of the tolerance of natural marine benthic microalgae assemblages to elevated CO2 in an ecosystem subjected to multiple environmental stressors. Our observations indicate that Mediterranean coastal systems will alter as pCO2 levels continue to rise, with increased photosynthetic standing crop and taxonomic shifts in microalgal assemblages.
Adjustments of molecular key components of branchial ion and pH regulation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in response to ocean acidification and warming
Published 11 December 2015 Science Leave a CommentTags: biological response, physiology, North Atlantic, fish, molecular biology, laboratory
Marine teleost fish sustain compensation of extracellular pH after exposure to hypercapnia by means of efficient ion and acid-base regulation. Elevated rates of ion and acid-base regulation under hypercapnia may be stimulated further by elevated temperature. Here, we characterized the regulation of transepithelial ion transporters (NKCC1, NBC1, SLC26A6, NHE1 and 2) and ATPases (Na+/K+ ATPase and V-type H+ ATPase) in gills of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) after 4 weeks of exposure to ambient and future PCO2 levels (550 μatm, 1,200 μatm, 2,200 μatm) at optimum (10°C) and summer maximum temperature (18°C), respectively. Gene expression of most branchial ion transporters revealed temperature- and dose-dependent responses to elevated PCO2. Transcriptional regulation resulted in stable protein expression at 10°C, whereas expression of most transport proteins increased at medium PCO2 and 18°C. mRNA and protein expression of distinct ion transport proteins were closely co-regulated, substantiating cellular functional relationships. Na+/K+ ATPase capacities were PCO2 independent, but increased with acclimation temperature, whereas H+ ATPase capacities were thermally compensated but decreased at medium PCO2 and 10°C. When functional capacities of branchial ATPases were compared with mitochondrial F1Fo ATP-synthase strong corrrelations of F1Fo ATP-synthase and ATPase capacities generally indicate close coordination of branchial aerobic ATP demand and supply. Our data indicate physiological plasticity in the gills of cod to adjust to a warming, acidifying ocean within limits. In light of the interacting and non-linear, dose-dependent effects of both climate factors the role of these mechanisms in shaping resilience under climate change remains to be explored.
Temporal fluctuations in seawater pCO2 may be as important as mean differences when determining physiological sensitivity in natural systems
Published 11 December 2015 Science Leave a CommentTags: biological response, physiology, echinoderms, Mediterranean, field
Most studies assessing the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) on benthic marine invertebrates have used stable mean pH/pCO2 levels to highlight variation in the physiological sensitivities in a range of taxa. However, many marine environments experience natural fluctuations in carbonate chemistry, and to date little attempt has been made to understand the effect of naturally fluctuating seawater pCO2 (pCO2sw) on the physiological capacity of organisms to maintain acid–base homeostasis. Here, for the first time, we exposed two species of sea urchin with different acid–base tolerances, Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula, to naturally fluctuating pCO2sw conditions at shallow water CO2 seep systems (Vulcano, Italy) and assessed their acid–base responses. Both sea urchin species experienced fluctuations in extracellular coelomic fluid pH, pCO2, and [HCO−3] (pHe, pCO2e, and [HCO−3]e, respectively) in line with fluctuations in pCO2sw. The less tolerant species, P. lividus, had the greatest capacity for [HCO−3]e buffering in response to acute pCO2sw fluctuations, but it also experienced greater extracellular hypercapnia and acidification and was thus unable to fully compensate for acid–base disturbances. Conversely, the more tolerant A. lixula relied on non-bicarbonate protein buffering and greater respiratory control. In the light of these findings, we discuss the possible energetic consequences of increased reliance on bicarbonate buffering activity in P. lividus compared with A. lixula and how these differing physiological responses to acute fluctuations in pCO2sw may be as important as chronic responses to mean changes in pCO2sw when considering how CO2 emissions will affect survival and success of marine organisms within naturally assembled systems.
High-resolution ocean pH dynamics in four subtropical Atlantic benthic habitats
Published 11 December 2015 Science Leave a CommentTags: chemistry, field, North Atlantic
Oscillations of ocean pH are largely unknown in coastal environments and ocean acidification studies often do not account for natural variability yet most of what is known about marine species and populations is found out via studies conducted in near shore environments. Most experiments designed to make predictions about future climate change scenarios are carried out in coastal environments with no research that takes into account the natural pH variability. In order to fill this knowledge gap and to provide reliable measures of pH oscillation, seawater pH was measured over time using moored pH sensors in four contrasting phytocenoses typical of the north Atlantic subtropical region. Each phytocenosis was characterized by its predominant engineer species: (1) Cystoseira abies-marina, (2) a mix of gelidiales and geniculate corallines, (3) Lobophora variegata, and (4) encrusting corallines. The autonomous pH measuring systems consisted of a pH sensor; a data logger and a battery encased in a waterproof container and allowed the acquisition of high-resolution continuous pH data at each of the study sites. The pH variation observed ranged by between 0.09 and 0.24 pHNBS units. A clear daily variation in seawater pH was detected at all the studied sites (0.04–0.12 pHNBS units). Significant differences in daily pH oscillations were also observed between phytocenoses, which shows that macroalgal communities influence the seawater pH in benthic habitats. Natural oscillations in pH must be taken into account in future ocean acidification studies to put findings in perspective and for any ecological recommendations to be realistic.
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Monaco supports Pacific partnership to address ocean acidification
Published 10 December 2015 Press releases Leave a Comment8 December 2015, Paris, France COP21 – A new partnership formed between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Government of Monaco to address Ocean Acidification was formalised on the margins of the COP 21 in Paris, France today.
An action based partnership to strengthen the resilience of Pacific island countries and territories to Ocean Acidification was signed between the Government of New Zealand and SPREP this year. This regional initiative is now strengthened by the support from Monaco.
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Depth patterns in Antarctic bryozoan skeletal Mg-calcite: Can they provide an analogue for future environmental changes?
Published 9 December 2015 Science Leave a CommentTags: Antarctic, biological response, bryozoa, field, morphology
Factors related to depth have the potential to provide an analogue for future changes in the skeletal mineralogy of calcifying marine organisms and communities, given that oceanic pH decreases with depth, with a minimum pH of <7.7, which corresponds to the predicted pH of shallow waters in the next 85 yr. Antarctic bryozoans are often characterized by surprisingly broad bathymetrical ranges, and thus have potential for the study of depth-related environmental changes. This study addressed depth-related changes in the levels of magnesium (Mg)-calcite in Antarctic bryozoan skeletons for the first time in order to facilitate predictions of ocean acidification effects. Specimens (n = 103) belonging to 4 bryozoan species (3 cheilostomes and 1 cyclostome) were collected at various depths in East Antarctica (Terre Adelie and George V Land) during the CEAMARC cruise (December 2007 to January 2008), and Mg-calcite contents from their calcareous skeletons were studied using X-ray diffraction. A dataset was compiled from existing environmental data for both sampling and neighboring sites. All 4 species were found to be entirely calcitic with low or intermediate Mg-levels. The predicted negative correlation between pH and Mg-calcite was not evident. Higher Mg levels were found in Fasciculipora ramosa from the George V Basin, suggesting that high salinity shelf water creates favorable conditions for this species, although alternative environmental and biological factors influencing Mg-calcite in skeletons are also discussed for this species.
