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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Macroalgal responses to ocean acidification depend on nutrient and light levels
Paula S M Celis-pláJason M Hall-spencerPaulo Antunes HortaMarco MilazzoNathalie KorbeeChristopher Edward CornwallFélix L Figueroasubject
Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC)TemperateSalinityChlorophyll aFucoxanthininorganicAlkalinityPhotosynthetic efficiency standard errorChlorophyll cNitrogen content per dry mass standard errorLight saturation point standard errorPhenolics allTemperature waterCarbon inorganic dissolvedMacroalgaeCalculated using seacarb after Nisumaa et al 2010Carbon Nitrogen ratioAragonite saturation stateAlkalinity totalallCarbon per dry massSalinity standard errortotalCarbon content per dry mass standard errorPhenolics all standard errorCO2 ventChromistapHMaximum photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II standard errorTemperaturePartial pressure of carbon dioxide (water) at sea surface temperature (wet air) standard errordissolvedAntioxidant activity standard errorCarbonate ionMaximum photochemical quantum yield of photosystem IIPartial pressure of carbon dioxide (water) at sea surface temperature (wet air)Field experimentstandard errorNitrogen content per dry massElectron transport rate standard errorFucoxanthin standard errorEarth System ResearchViolaxanthinPhenolicsChlorophyll a standard errorCarbon dioxide standard errorPotentiometric titrationCalcite saturation stateCarbon/Nitrogen ratio standard errorNitrogenOchrophytaPotentiometricper dry masswaterChlorophyll c standard errorBenthosAlkalinity total standard errorAntioxidant activityElectron transport rateLight saturation pointOcean Acidification International Coordination Centre OA ICCMacro-nutrientsMediterranean SeaNitrogen per dry massBicarbonate ionTemperature water standard errorCalculated using seacarb after Nisumaa et al. (2010)Primary production PhotosynthesisSpeciespH standard errorCalcite saturation state standard errorCystoseira compressaCalculated using CO2SYSNon photochemical quenchingCarbon content per dry massCarbonate system computation flagViolaxanthin standard errorPrimary production/PhotosynthesisFugacity of carbon dioxide (water) at sea surface temperature (wet air)CarbonCarbon/Nitrogen ratioBiomass/Abundance/Elemental compositionTreatmentPartial pressure of carbon dioxide water at sea surface temperature wet airAragonite saturation state standard errorCarbon dioxideMacro nutrientsCarbonate ion standard errorSingle speciesFugacity of carbon dioxide water at sea surface temperature wet airPadina pavonicaBiomass Abundance Elemental compositionCoast and continental shelfPhotosynthetic efficiencyBicarbonate ion standard errorNon photochemical quenching standard errordescription
Ocean acidification may benefit algae that are able to capitalize on increased carbon availability for photosynthesis, but it is expected to have adverse effects on calcified algae through dissolution. Shifts in dominance between primary producers will have knock-on effects on marine ecosystems and will likely vary regionally, depending on factors such as irradiance (light vs. shade) and nutrient levels (oligotrophic vs. eutrophic). Thus experiments are needed to evaluate interactive effects of combined stressors in the field. In this study, we investigated the physiological responses of macroalgae near a CO2 seep in oligotrophic waters off Vulcano (Italy). The algae were incubated in situ at 0.2 m depth using a combination of three mean CO2 levels (500, 700-800 and 1200 µatm CO2), two light levels (100 and 70% of surface irradiance) and two nutrient levels of N, P, and K (enriched vs. non-enriched treatments) in the non-calcified macroalga Cystoseira compressa (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) and calcified Padina pavonica (Phaeophyceae, Dictyotales). A suite of biochemical assays and in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters showed that elevated CO2 levels benefitted both of these algae, although their responses varied depending on light and nutrient availability. In C. compressa, elevated CO2 treatments resulted in higher carbon content and antioxidant activity in shaded conditions both with and without nutrient enrichment--they had more Chla, phenols and fucoxanthin with nutrient enrichment and higher quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and photosynthetic efficiency (alpha ETR) without nutrient enrichment. In P. pavonica, elevated CO2 treatments had higher carbon content, Fv/Fm, alpha ETR, and Chla regardless of nutrient levels--they had higher concentrations of phenolic compounds in nutrient enriched, fully-lit conditions and more antioxidants in shaded, nutrient enriched conditions. Nitrogen content increased significantly in fertilized treatments, confirming that these algae were nutrient limited in this oligotrophic part of the Mediterranean. Our findings strengthen evidence that brown algae can be expected to proliferate as the oceans acidify where physicochemical conditions, such as nutrient levels and light, permit.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-01-01 |