eCite Digital Repository
Coccolith volume of the Southern Ocean coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi as a possible indicator for palaeo-cell volume
Citation
Muller, MN and Brandini, FP and Trull, TW and Hallegraeff, GM, Coccolith volume of the Southern Ocean coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi as a possible indicator for palaeo-cell volume, Geobiology, 19, (1) pp. 63-74. ISSN 1472-4669 (2020) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
Coccolithophores are a key functional phytoplankton group and produce minute calcite plates (coccoliths) in the sunlit layer of the pelagic ocean. Coccoliths significantly contribute to the sediment record since the Triassic and their geometry have been subject to palaeoceanographic and biological studies to retrieve information on past environmental conditions. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of coccolith, coccosphere and cell volume data of the Southern Ocean Emiliania huxleyi ecotype A, subject to gradients of temperature, irradiance, carbonate chemistry and macronutrient limitation. All tested environmental drivers significantly affect coccosphere, coccolith and cell volume with driver‐specific sensitivities. However, a highly significant correlation emerged between cell and coccolith volume with Vcoccolith = 0.012 ± 0.001 * Vcell + 0.234 ± 0.066 (n = 23, r2 = .85, p < .0001, σest = 0.127), indicating a primary control of coccolith volume by physiological modulated changes in cell volume. We discuss the possible application of fossil coccolith volume as an indicator for cell volume/size and growth rate and, additionally, illustrate that macronutrient limitation of phosphorus and nitrogen has the predominant influence on coccolith volume in respect to other environmental drivers. Our results provide a solid basis for the application of coccolith volume and geometry as a palaeo‐proxy and shed light on the underlying physiological reasons, offering a valuable tool to investigate the fossil record of the coccolithophore E. huxleyi.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | coccolithophores, ocean acidification, carbonate chemistry, coccolith geometry, Emiliania huxleyi, light, nutrient limitation, Southern Ocean, temperature |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Plant biology |
Research Field: | Phycology (incl. marine grasses) |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems |
UTAS Author: | Trull, TW (Professor Thomas Trull) |
UTAS Author: | Hallegraeff, GM (Professor Gustaaf Hallegraeff) |
ID Code: | 140967 |
Year Published: | 2020 |
Funding Support: | Australian Research Council (DP1093801) |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 2 |
Deposited By: | Ecology and Biodiversity |
Deposited On: | 2020-09-16 |
Last Modified: | 2022-08-29 |
Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page