scholarly journals Responses of coccolithophores to ocean acidification: a meta-analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 14857-14887
Author(s):  
J. Meyer ◽  
U. Riebesell

Abstract. Concerning their sensitivity to ocean acidification, coccolithophores, a group of calcifying single-celled phytoplankton, are one of the best-studied groups of marine organisms. However, in spite of the large number of studies investigating coccolithophore physiological responses to ocean acidification, uncertainties still remain due to variable and partly contradictory results. In the present study we have used all existing data in a meta-analysis to estimate the effect size of future pCO2 changes on the rates of calcification and photosynthesis and the ratio of particulate inorganic to organic carbon (PIC/POC) in different coccolithophore species. Our results indicate that ocean acidification has a negative effect on calcification and the cellular PIC/POC ratio in the most abundant coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica. In contrast the more heavily calcified species Coccolithus braarudii did not show a distinct response when exposed to elevated pCO2/reduced pH. Photosynthesis in Gephyrocapsa oceanica was positively affected by high CO2, while no effect was observed for the other coccolithophore species. There was no indication that the method of carbonate chemistry manipulation was responsible for the inconsistent results regarding observed responses in calcification and the PIC/POC ratio. The perturbation method, however, appears to affect photosynthesis, as responses varied significantly between total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) manipulations. These results emphasize that coccolithophore species respond differently to ocean acidification, both in terms of calcification and photosynthesis. Where negative effects occur, they become evident at CO2 levels in the range projected for this century in case of unabated CO2 emissions. As the data sets used in this meta-analysis do not account for adaptive responses and ecological fitness, the questions remains how these physiological responses play out in the natural environment.

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1671-1682 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Meyer ◽  
U. Riebesell

Abstract. Concerning their sensitivity to ocean acidification, coccolithophores, a group of calcifying single-celled phytoplankton, are one of the best-studied groups of marine organisms. However, in spite of the large number of studies investigating coccolithophore physiological responses to ocean acidification, uncertainties still remain due to variable and partly contradictory results. In the present study we have used all existing data in a meta-analysis to estimate the effect size of future pCO2 changes on the rates of calcification and photosynthesis and the ratio of particulate inorganic to organic carbon (PIC / POC) in different coccolithophore species. Our results indicate that ocean acidification has a negative effect on calcification and the cellular PIC / POC ratio in the two most abundant coccolithophore species: Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica. In contrast, the more heavily calcified species Coccolithus braarudii did not show a distinct response when exposed to elevated pCO2/reduced pH. Photosynthesis in Gephyrocapsa oceanica was positively affected by high CO2, while no effect was observed for the other coccolithophore species. There was no indication that the method of carbonate chemistry manipulation was responsible for the inconsistent results regarding observed responses in calcification and the PIC / POC ratio. The perturbation method, however, appears to affect photosynthesis, as responses varied significantly between total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) manipulations. These results emphasize that coccolithophore species respond differently to ocean acidification, both in terms of calcification and photosynthesis. Where negative effects occur, they become evident at CO2 levels in the range projected for this century in the case of unabated CO2 emissions. As the data sets used in this meta-analysis do not account for adaptive responses, ecological fitness and ecosystem interactions, the question remains as to how these physiological responses play out in the natural environment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 8283-8311 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wakita ◽  
S. Watanabe ◽  
M. Honda ◽  
A. Nagano ◽  
K. Kimoto ◽  
...  

Abstract. Rising atmospheric CO2 contents have led to greater CO2 uptake by the oceans, lowering both pH due to increasing hydrogen ions and CaCO3 saturation states due to declining carbonate ion (CO32−). Here, we used previously compiled data sets and new data collected in 2010 and 2011 to investigate ocean acidification of the North Pacific western subarctic gyre. In winter, the western subarctic gyre is a source of CO2 to the atmosphere because of convective mixing of deep waters rich in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). We calculated pH in winter mixed layer from DIC and total alkalinity (TA), and found that it decreased at the rate of −0.001 ± 0.0004 yr−1 from 1997 to 2011. This decrease rate is slower than that expected under condition of seawater/atmosphere equilibration, and it is also slower than the rate in the subtropical regions (−0.002 yr−1). The slow rate is caused by a reduction of CO2 emission in winter due to an increase in TA. Below the mixed layer, the calcite saturation horizon (~185 m depth) shoaled at the rate of 2.9 ± 0.9 m yr−1 as the result of the declining CO32− concentration (−0.03 ± 0.01 μmol k−1yr−1). Between 200 m and 300 m depth, pH decline during the study period (−0.0051 ± 0.0010 yr−1) was larger than ever reported in the open North Pacific. This enhanced acidification rate below the calcite saturation horizon reflected not only the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 but also the increase in the decomposition of organic matter evaluated from the increase in AOU, which suggests that the dissolution of CaCO3 particles increased.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Vance ◽  
K. I. Currie ◽  
C. S. Law ◽  
J. Murdoch ◽  
J. Zeldis

A national observing network has been operating over the past 4 years to inform the scientific and economic challenges of ocean acidification (OA) facing New Zealand. The New Zealand Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NZOA-ON) consists of 12 sites across varied coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems range from oligotrophic ocean-dominated systems to eutrophic river-dominated systems, with sites that are pristine or affected by agriculture and urbanisation. Fortnightly measurements of total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon provide the baseline of carbonate chemistry in these varied ecosystems and will facilitate detection of future changes, as well as providing a present-day baseline. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research and the University of Otago have developed a ‘grass-roots’ sampling program, providing training and equipment that enable sampling partners to collect field samples for analyses at a central laboratory. NZOA-ON leverages existing infrastructure and partnerships to maximise data captured for understanding the drivers of chemical changes associated with OA and ecological responses. NZOA-ON coordinates with and contributes to global initiatives to understand and mitigate the broader impacts of OA. A description of NZOA-ON is presented with preliminary analyses and comparison of data from different sites after the first 4 years of the network.


Author(s):  
S. Sneck ◽  
H. Viholainen ◽  
H. Syväoja ◽  
A. Kankaapää ◽  
H. Hakonen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The benefits of physical activity (PA) on children’s health and wellbeing are well established. However, the benefits of PA on academic performance and particularly on mathematics performance warrant systematic analysis. Mathematics is one of the core subjects in school education globally. Methods We systematically searched, analysed and synthesized the literature on the effects of school-based PA interventions on mathematics performance in children aged 4–16. A total of 29 studies consisting of randomised trials and other interventions with control groups were identified through a systematic search, and 11 of them provided sufficient data and appropriate design for a meta-analysis. Results Of the 29 studies involving 11,264 participants, positive overall effects of a PA intervention on mathematics performance were found in 13 studies (45%) and neutral overall effects in 15 studies (52%). Only one study reported a significant negative result for a subgroup of children in the first half of the intervention. In a risk-of-bias assessment, 12 studies had low, 17 moderate, and none had a high risk of bias. The meta-analysis of 11 studies suggested an overall small positive effect (ES = 0.23) of the interventions. Only one study in the meta-analysis indicated a negative effect in one of the intervention groups. Conclusions Adding PA to the school day may enhance children’s mathematics performance or has no negative effects on performance. Several types of PA interventions can be recommended to be added to the school day.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 713-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. MacLeod ◽  
H. L. Doyle ◽  
K. I. Currie

Abstract. This article describes a potentiometric ocean acidification simulation system which automatically regulates pH through the injection of 100% CO2 gas into temperature-controlled seawater. The system is ideally suited to long-term experimental studies of the effect of acidification on biological processes involving small-bodied (10–20 mm) calcifying or non-calcifying organisms. Using hobbyist-grade equipment, the system was constructed for approximately USD 1200 per treatment unit (tank, pH regulation apparatus, chiller, pump/filter unit). An overall tolerance of ±0.05 pHT units (SD) was achieved over 90 days in two acidified treatments (7.60 and 7.40) at 12 °C using glass electrodes calibrated with synthetic seawater buffers, thereby preventing liquid junction error. The performance of the system was validated through the independent calculation of pHT (12 °C) using dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity data taken from discrete acidified seawater samples. The system was used to compare the shell growth of the marine gastropod Zeacumantus subcarinatus infected with the trematode parasite Maritrema novaezealandensis with that of uninfected snails at pH levels of 7.4, 7.6, and 8.1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miho Ishizu ◽  
Yasumasa Miyazawa ◽  
Tomohiko Tsunoda ◽  
Xinyu Guo

We developed a biogeochemical and carbon model (JCOPE_EC) coupled with an operational ocean model for the North Western Pacific. JCOPE_EC represents ocean acidification indices on the background of the risks due to ocean acidification and our model experiences. It is an off-line tracer model driven by a high-resolution regional ocean general circulation model (JCOPE2M). The results showed that the model adequately reproduced the general patterns in the observed data, including the seasonal variability of chlorophyll-a, dissolved inorganic nitrogen/phosphorus, dissolved inorganic carbon, and total alkalinity. We provide an overview of this system and the results of the model validation based on the available observed data. Sensitivity analysis using fixed values for temperature, salinity, dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity helped us identify which variables contributed most to seasonal variations in the ocean acidification indices, pH and Ωarg. The seasonal variation in the pHinsitu was governed mainly by balances of the change in temperature and dissolved inorganic carbon. The seasonal increase in Ωarg from winter to summer was governed mainly by dissolved inorganic carbon levels.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Guerra ◽  
Carlos Rocha

<p>Organic and inorganic whole system metabolism for two Irish coastal areas were compared to evaluate carbonate system resilience to acidification. The two systems are characterized by contrasting watershed input types and composition. Kinvara Bay is fed by Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) derived from a karstic catchment while Killary Harbour is fed by river discharge draining a siliciclastic catchment. Freshwater sources to sea have distinct Total Alkalinity (TA) and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) concentrations, higher and lower than the open ocean, respectively, but both evidence seasonally variable low pH, ranging from 6.20 to 7.50. Retention of TA and DIC was calculated for the two areas using LOICZ methodology. In Kinvara bay, annually averaged retention of DIC was greater than for TA (5 × 10<sup>4</sup> and 1.5 × 10<sup>5</sup> mol d<sup>-1</sup>), suggesting the system is acidifying further. Conversely, Killary Harbour shows negative TA and DIC retention, with DIC:TA <1, suggesting an internal buffer against ocean acidification is operating.</p><p>Net Community Production (NCP) was calculated for both systems using Dissolved Oxygen data. Subsequently, we estimated Net Community Calcification (NCC) from the ratio between TA and DIC. NCP was always positive in Killary Harbour with an average of 318 mmol O<sub>2</sub> m<sup>-2 </sup>d<sup>-1</sup> (equivalent to 89 mol C m<sup>-2</sup> y<sup>-1</sup>). However, Kinvara Bay shows relatively lower positive NCP in spring and summer (average of 46 mmol O<sub>2</sub> m<sup>-2</sup> d<sup>-1</sup>), but negative NCP in autumn and winter. Therefore, Kinvara Bay’s Total Organic Carbon (TOC) production was low, at ~21 g m<sup>-2</sup> y<sup>-1</sup> and not enough to overcome acidification driven by the SGD source composition. These results emphasize the complexity of interactions between the drivers of coastal acidification rate, affecting our ability to accurately assess the resilience of the carbonate system in these areas to ocean acidification pressure in the future.</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 7659-7683
Author(s):  
C. D. MacLeod ◽  
H. L. Doyle ◽  
K. I. Currie

Abstract. This article describes a potentiometric ocean acidification simulation system which automatically regulates pH through the injection of 100% CO2 gas into temperature-controlled seawater. The system is ideally suited to long-term experimental studies of the effect of acidification on biological processes involving small-bodied (10–20 mm) calcifying or non-calcifying organisms. Using hobbyist grade equipment, the system was constructed for approximately USD 1200 per treatment unit (tank, pH regulation apparatus, chiller, pump/filter unit). An overall accuracy of ±0.05 pHT units (SD) was achieved over 90 days in two acidified treatments (7.60 and 7.40) at 12 °C using glass electrodes calibrated with salt water buffers, thereby preventing liquid junction error. The accuracy of the system was validated through the independent calculation of pHT (12 °C) using dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (AT) data taken from discrete acidified seawater samples. The system was used to compare the shell growth of the marine gastropod Zeacumantus subcarinatus infected with the trematode parasite Maritrema novaezealandensis with that of uninfected snails, at pH levels of 7.4, 7.6, and 8.1.


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