scholarly journals Lateral, Vertical, and Temporal Variability of Seawater Carbonate Chemistry at Hog Reef, Bermuda

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel K. Pezner ◽  
Travis A. Courtney ◽  
Heather N. Page ◽  
Sarah N. Giddings ◽  
Cory M. Beatty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Current Flow ◽  
Biogeochemical Processes ◽  
Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Carbon Production ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry

Spatial and temporal carbonate chemistry variability on coral reefs is influenced by a combination of seawater hydrodynamics, geomorphology, and biogeochemical processes, though their relative influence varies by site. It is often assumed that the water column above most reefs is well-mixed with small to no gradients outside of the benthic boundary layer. However, few studies to date have explored the processes and properties controlling these multi-dimensional gradients. Here, we investigated the lateral, vertical, and temporal variability of seawater carbonate chemistry on a Bermudan rim reef using a combination of spatial seawater chemistry surveys and autonomous in situ sensors. Instruments were deployed at Hog Reef measuring current flow, seawater temperature, salinity, pHT, pCO2, dissolved oxygen (DO), and total alkalinity (TA) on the benthos, and temperature, salinity, DO, and pCO2 at the surface. Water samples from spatial surveys were collected from surface and bottom depths at 13 stations covering ∼3 km2 across 4 days. High frequency temporal variability in carbonate chemistry was driven by a combination of diel light and mixed semi-diurnal tidal cycles on the reef. Daytime gradients in DO between the surface and the benthos suggested significant water column production contributing to distinct diel trends in pHT, pCO2, and DO, but not TA. We hypothesize these differences reflect the differential effect of biogeochemical processes important in both the water column and benthos (organic carbon production/respiration) vs. processes mainly occurring on the benthos (calcium carbonate production/dissolution). Locally at Hog Reef, the relative magnitude of the diel variability of organic carbon production/respiration was 1.4–4.6 times larger than that of calcium carbonate production/dissolution, though estimates of net organic carbon production and calcification based on inshore-offshore chemical gradients revealed net heterotrophy (−118 ± 51 mmol m–2 day–1) and net calcification (150 ± 37 mmol CaCO3 m–2 day–1). These results reflect the important roles of time and space in assessing reef biogeochemical processes. The spatial variability in carbonate chemistry parameters was larger laterally than vertically and was generally observed in conjunction with depth gradients, but varied between sampling events, depending on time of day and modifications due to current flow.

scholarly journals The role of ocean acidification in <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> coccolith thinning in the Mediterranean Sea

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2857-2869 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. S. Meier ◽  
L. Beaufort ◽  
S. Heussner ◽  
P. Ziveri
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Emiliania Huxleyi ◽  
Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Surface Ocean ◽  
Nw Mediterranean ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry

Abstract. Ocean acidification is a result of the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 from the atmosphere into the ocean and has been identified as a major environmental and economic threat. The release of several thousands of petagrams of carbon over a few hundred years will have an overwhelming effect on surface ocean carbon reservoirs. The recorded and anticipated changes in seawater carbonate chemistry will presumably affect global oceanic carbonate production. Coccolithophores as the primary calcifying phytoplankton group, and especially Emiliania huxleyi as the most abundant species have shown a reduction of calcification at increased CO2 concentrations for the majority of strains tested in culture experiments. A reduction of calcification is associated with a decrease in coccolith weight. However, the effect in monoclonal cultures is relatively small compared to the strong variability displayed in natural E. huxleyi communities, as these are a mix of genetically and sometimes morphologically distinct types. Average coccolith weight is likely influenced by the variability in seawater carbonate chemistry in different parts of the world's oceans and on glacial/interglacial time scales due to both physiological effects and morphotype selectivity. An effect of the ongoing ocean acidification on E. huxleyi calcification has so far not been documented in situ. Here, we analyze E. huxleyi coccolith weight from the NW Mediterranean Sea in a 12-year sediment trap series, and surface sediment and sediment core samples using an automated recognition and analyzing software. Our findings clearly show (1) a continuous decrease in the average coccolith weight of E. huxleyi from 1993 to 2005, reaching levels below pre-industrial (Holocene) and industrial (20th century) values recorded in the sedimentary record and (2) seasonal variability in coccolith weight that is linked to the coccolithophore productivity. The observed long-term decrease in coccolith weight is most likely a result of the changes in the surface ocean carbonate system. Our results provide the first indications of an in situ impact of ocean acidification on coccolithophore weight in a natural E. huxleyi population, even in the highly alkaline Mediterranean Sea.

scholarly journals Influence of CO<sub>2</sub> and nitrogen limitation on the coccolith volume of <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> (Haptophyta)

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 4979-5010 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Müller ◽  
L. Beaufort ◽  
O. Bernard ◽  
M. L. Pedrotti ◽  
A. Talec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Photosynthetic Activity ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Emiliania Huxleyi ◽  
Cell Diameter ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Carbon Production ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Particulate Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Phytoplankton Group

Abstract. Coccolithophores, a key phytoplankton group, are one of the best studied organisms with regard to the response to ocean acidification/carbonation. The biogenic production of calcareous coccoliths has made coccolithophores a promising group for paleoceanographic research aiming to reconstruct past environmental conditions. Recently, geochemical and morphological analyses of fossil coccoliths have gained increased interest in regard to changes in seawater carbonate chemistry. The cosmopolitan coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (Lohm.) Hay and Mohler was cultured over a range of pCO2 levels in controlled laboratory experiments under nutrient replete and nitrogen limited conditions. Measurements of photosynthetic activity and calcification revealed, as previously published, an increase in organic carbon production and a moderate decrease in calcification from ambient to elevated pCO2. The enhancement in particulate organic carbon production was accompanied by an increase in cell diameter. Coccolith volume was best correlated with the coccosphere/cell diameter and no significant correlation was found between coccolith volume and particulate inorganic carbon production rate. The conducted experiments revealed that the coccolith volume of E. huxleyi is variable with aquatic CO2 concentration within the tested range but appears to be a primary function of the coccosphere/cell diameter both under nitrogen limited and nutrient replete conditions. Comparing coccolith morphological and geometrical parameters like volume, mass and size to physiological parameters under controlled laboratory conditions is an important step to understand variations in fossil coccolith geometry.

scholarly journals Short-term response of the coccolithophore <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> to abrupt changes in seawater carbon dioxide concentrations

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 4739-4763 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Barcelos e Ramos ◽  
M. N. Müller ◽  
U. Riebesell
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Emiliania Huxleyi ◽  
Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Co2 Concentrations ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Term Response

Abstract. The response of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi to rising CO2 concentrations is well documented in acclimated cultures where cells are exposed to the CO2 treatments for several generations prior to the experiment. Extended acclimation times have generally been applied because of the lack of information about time required to reach a new physiological "equilibrium" (acclimation) in response to CO2-induced changes in seawater carbonate chemistry. Here we show that Emiliania huxleyi's short-term response (hours to 1 day) to increasing CO2 is similar to that obtained with acclimated cultures under comparable conditions in earlier studies. At CO2 concentrations ranging from glacial (190 μatm) to projected year 2100 (750 μatm) levels, calcification decreased and organic carbon fixation increased within 8 h after exposing the cultures to the changed CO2 conditions. This led to a decrease in the ratio of CaCO3 to organic carbon production. Our results show that Emiliania huxleyiapidly alters the rates of various essential processes in response to changes in seawater carbonate chemistry, establishing a new physiological (acclimation) "state" within a matter of hours. If this relatively rapid response applies to other phytoplankton species, it may simplify interpretation of studies with natural communities (e.g. mesocosm studies and ship-board incubations), where often it is not feasible to allow for a pre-conditioning phase before starting experimental incubations.

scholarly journals Influence of CO<sub>2</sub> and nitrogen limitation on the coccolith volume of <I>Emiliania huxleyi</I> (Haptophyta)

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 4155-4167 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Müller ◽  
L. Beaufort ◽  
O. Bernard ◽  
M. L. Pedrotti ◽  
A. Talec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Nitrogen Limitation ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Emiliania Huxleyi ◽  
Cell Diameter ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Carbon Production ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Particulate Inorganic Carbon

Abstract. Coccolithophores, a key phytoplankton group, are one of the most studied organisms regarding their physiological response to ocean acidification/carbonation. The biogenic production of calcareous coccoliths has made coccolithophores a promising group for paleoceanographic research aiming to reconstruct past environmental conditions. Recently, geochemical and morphological analyses of fossil coccoliths have gained increased interest in regard to changes in seawater carbonate chemistry. The cosmopolitan coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (Lohm.) Hay and Mohler was cultured over a range of pCO2 levels in controlled laboratory experiments under nutrient replete and nitrogen limited conditions. Measurements of photosynthesis and calcification revealed, as previously published, an increase in particulate organic carbon production and a moderate decrease in calcification from ambient to elevated pCO2. The enhancement in particulate organic carbon production was accompanied by an increase in cell diameter. Changes in coccolith volume were best correlated with the coccosphere/cell diameter and no significant correlation was found between the coccolith volume and the particulate inorganic carbon production. The conducted experiments revealed that the coccolith volume of E. huxleyi is variable with aquatic CO2 concentration but its sensitivity is rather small in comparison with its sensitivity to nitrogen limitation. Comparing coccolith morphological and geometrical parameters like volume, mass and size to physiological parameters under controlled laboratory conditions is an important step to understand variations in fossil coccolith geometry.

scholarly journals The fate of pelagic CaCO<sub>3</sub> production in a high CO<sub>2</sub> ocean: a model study

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gehlen ◽  
R. Gangstø ◽  
B. Schneider ◽  
L. Bopp ◽  
O. Aumont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
Saturation State ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Carbon Production ◽  
Model Study ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Organic And Inorganic Carbon

Abstract. This model study addresses the change in pelagic calcium carbonate production (CaCO3, as calcite in the model) and dissolution in response to rising atmospheric CO2. The parameterization of CaCO3 production includes a dependency on the saturation state of seawater with respect to calcite. It was derived from laboratory and mesocosm studies on particulate organic and inorganic carbon production in Emiliania huxleyi as a function of pCO2. The model predicts values of CaCO3 production and dissolution in line with recent estimates. The effect of rising pCO2 on CaCO3 production and dissolution was quantified by means of model simulations forced with atmospheric CO2 increasing at a rate of 1% per year from 286 ppm to 1144 ppm over a 140 year time-period. The simulation predicts a decrease of CaCO3 production by 27%. The combined change in production and dissolution of CaCO3 yields an excess uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere by the ocean of 5.9 GtC over the period of 140 years.

scholarly journals The role of ocean acidification in <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> coccolith thinning in the Mediterranean Sea

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 19701-19730 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. S. Meier ◽  
L. Beaufort ◽  
S. Heussner ◽  
P. Ziveri
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Emiliania Huxleyi ◽  
Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Surface Ocean ◽  
Nw Mediterranean ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry

Abstract. Ocean acidification is a result of the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 from the atmosphere into the ocean and has been identified as a major environmental and economic threat. The release of several thousands of petagrams of carbon over a few hundred years will overwhelm the capacity of the surface ocean reservoirs to absorb carbon. The recorded and anticipated changes in seawater carbonate chemistry will presumably affect the global oceanic carbonate production. Coccolithophores as the primary calcifying phytoplankton group, and especially Emiliania huxleyi as the most abundant species have shown a reduction of calcification at increased CO2 concentrations for the majority of strains tested in culture experiments. A reduction of calcification is associated with a decrease in coccolith weight. However, the effect in monoclonal cultures is relatively small compared to the strong variability displayed in natural E. huxleyi communities, as these are a mix of genetically and sometimes morphologically distinct types. Average coccolith weight is likely influenced by the variability in seawater carbonate chemistry in different parts of the worlds' oceans and on glacial/interglacial time scales due to both physiological effects and morphotype selectivity. An effect of the ongoing ocean acidification on E. huxleyi calcification has so far not been documented in situ. Here, we analyze E. huxleyi coccolith weight from the NW Mediterranean Sea in a 12 yr sediment trap series, and surface sediment and sediment core samples using an automated recognition and analyzing software. Our findings clearly show (1) a continuous decrease in the average coccolith weight of E. huxleyi from 1993 to 2005, reaching levels below pre-industrial Holocene and industrial 20th century values recorded in the sedimentary record, and (2) seasonal variability in coccolith weight that is linked to the coccolithophore production. The observed long-term decrease in coccolith weight is most likely a result of the changes in the surface ocean carbonate system. Our results provide first indications of an in situ impact of ocean acidification on coccolithophore weight in a natural E. huxleyi population even in the highly alkaline Mediterranean Sea.

scholarly journals The fate of pelagic CaCO<sub>3</sub> production in a high CO<sub>2</sub> ocean: A model study

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 533-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gehlen ◽  
R. Gangstø ◽  
B. Schneider ◽  
L. Bopp ◽  
O. Aumont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Emiliania Huxleyi ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
Saturation State ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Carbon Production ◽  
Model Study ◽  
Organic And Inorganic Carbon

Abstract. This model study addresses the change in pelagic calcium carbonate production (CaCO3, as calcite in the model) and dissolution in response to rising atmospheric CO2. The parameterization of CaCO3 production includes a dependency on the saturation state of seawater with respect to calcite. It was derived from laboratory and mesocosm studies on particulate organic and inorganic carbon production in Emiliania huxleyi as a function of pCO2. The model predicts values of CaCO3 production and dissolution in line with recent estimates. The effect of rising pCO2 on CaCO3 production and dissolution was quantified by means of model simulations forced with atmospheric CO2 increasing at a rate of 1% per year from 286 ppm to 1144 ppm. The simulation predicts a decrease of CaCO3 production by 27%. The combined change in production and dissolution of CaCO3 yields an excess uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere by the ocean of 5.9 GtC.

scholarly journals Strain-specific responses of <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> to changing seawater carbonate chemistry

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 4361-4383 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Langer ◽  
G. Nehrke ◽  
I. Probert ◽  
J. Ly ◽  
P. Ziveri
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Content ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Emiliania Huxleyi ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Carbon Production ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Particulate Inorganic Carbon

Abstract. Four strains of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (RCC1212, RCC1216, RCC1238, RCC1256) were grown in dilute batch culture at four CO2 levels ranging from ~200 μatm to ~1200 μatm. Growth rate, particulate organic carbon content, and particulate inorganic carbon content were measured, and organic and inorganic carbon production calculated. The four strains did not show a uniform response to carbonate chemistry changes in any of the analysed parameters and none of the four strains displayed a response pattern previously described for this species. We conclude that the sensitivity of different strains of E. huxleyi to acidification differs substantially and that this likely has a genetic basis. We propose that this can explain apparently contradictory results reported in the literature.

Vertical and temporal variability of redox zonation in the water column of the Cariaco Basin: implications for organic carbon oxidation pathways

2004 ◽  
Vol 86 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 89-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tung-Yuan Ho ◽  
Gordon T. Taylor ◽  
Yrene Astor ◽  
Ramon Varela ◽  
Frank Müller-Karger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Cariaco Basin ◽  
Carbon Oxidation ◽  
Redox Zonation ◽  
Organic Carbon Oxidation

scholarly journals Calcification, a physiological process to be considered in the context of the whole organism

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 2267-2284 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Findlay ◽  
H. L. Wood ◽  
M. A. Kendall ◽  
J. I. Spicer ◽  
R. J. Twitchett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Carbonate Ion ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Seawater Carbonate Chemistry ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
High Carbon Dioxide

Abstract. Marine organisms that produce calcium carbonate structures are predicted to be most vulnerable to a decline in oceanic pH (ocean acidification) based on the understanding that calcification rates will decrease as a result of changes in the seawater carbonate chemistry thereby reducing carbonate ion concentration (and associated saturation states). Coastal seas are critical components of the global carbon cycle yet little research has been conducted on acidification impacts on coastal benthic organisms. Here, a critical appraisal of calcification in six benthic species showed, contrary to popular predictions, calcification can increase, and not decrease, in acidified seawater. Measuring the changes in calcium in isolated calcium carbonate structure as well as structures from live animals exposed to acidified seawater allowed a comparison between a species' ability to calcify and the dissolution affects across decreasing levels of pH. Calcium carbonate production is dependant on the ability to increase calcification thus counteracting an increase in dissolution. Comparison with paleoecological studies of past high carbon dioxide (CO2) events presents a similar picture. This conclusion implies that calcification may not be the critical process impacted by ocean acidification; particularly as all species investigated displayed physiological trade offs including reduced metabolism, health, and behavioural responses, in association with this calcification upregulation, which possess as great a threat to survival as an inability to calcify.

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