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Short-term response of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi to an abrupt change in seawater carbon dioxide concentrations

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posted on 2023-05-17, 07:28 authored by Barcelos e Ramos, J, Muller, MN, Riebesell, U
The response of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi to rising CO2 concentrations is well documented for acclimated cultures where cells are exposed to the CO2 treatments for several generations prior to the experiment. The exact number of generations required for acclimation to CO2-induced changes in seawater carbonate chemistry, however, is unknown. Here we show that Emiliania huxleyi's short-term response (26 h) after cultures (grown at 500 uatm) were abruptly exposed to changed CO2 concentrations (~190, 410, 800 and 1500 uatm) is similar to that obtained with acclimated cultures under comparable conditions in earlier studies. Most importantly, from the lower CO2 levels (190 and 410 uatm) to 750 and 1500 uatm calcification decreased and organic carbon fixation increased within the first 8 to 14 h after exposing the cultures to changes in carbonate chemistry. This suggests that Emiliania huxleyi rapidly alters the rates of essential metabolical processes in response to changes in seawater carbonate chemistry, establishing a new physiological "state" (acclimation) 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 shipboard incubations), where often it is not feasible to allow for a pre-conditioning phase before starting experimental incubations.

History

Publication title

Biogeosciences

Volume

7

Pagination

177-186

ISSN

1726-4170

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Copernicus Gesellschaft MBH

Place of publication

Germany

Rights statement

Copyright © The author(s) 2010. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Effects of climate change on the South Pacific (excl. Australia and New Zealand) (excl. social impacts)

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