Strategies of dissolved inorganic carbon use in macroalgae across a gradient of terrestrial influence: implications for the Great Barrier Reef in the context of ocean acidification

Macroalgae are generally used as indicators of coral reef status; thus, understanding the drivers and mechanisms leading to increased macroalgal abundance are of critical importance. Ocean acidification (OA) due to elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations has been suggested to stimulate macroalgal growth and abundance on reefs. However, little is known about the physiological mechanisms by which reef macroalgae use CO₂ from the bulk seawater for photosynthesis [i.e., (1) direct uptake of bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) and/or CO₂ by means of carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCM) and (2) the diffusive uptake of CO₂], which species could benefit from increased CO₂ or which habitats may be more susceptible to acidification-induced algal proliferations. Here, we provide the first quantitative examination of CO₂-use strategies in coral reef macroalgae and provide information on how the proportion of species and the proportional abundance of species utilising each of the carbon acquisition strategies varies across a gradient of terrestrial influence (from inshore to offshore reefs) in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Four macroalgal groups were identified based on their carbon uptake strategies: (1) CCM-only (HCO₃⁻ only users); (2) CCM-HCO₃⁻/CO₂ (active uptake HCO₃⁻ and/or CO₂ use); (3) Non-CCM species (those relying on diffusive CO₂ uptake); and (4) Calcifiers. δ¹³C values of macroalgae, confirmed by pH drift assays, show that diffusive CO₂ use is more prevalent in deeper waters, possibly due to low light availability that limits activity of CCMs. Inshore shallow reefs had a higher proportion of CCM-only species, while reefs further away from terrestrial influence and exposed to better water quality had a higher number of non-CCM species than inshore and mid-shelf reefs. As non-CCM macroalgae are more responsive to increased seawater CO₂ and OA, reef slopes of the outer reefs are probably the habitats most vulnerable to the impacts of OA. Our results suggest a potentially important role of carbon physiology in structuring macroalgal communities in the GBR.