Phosphorus limitation and heat stress decrease calcification in Emiliania huxleyi
Andrea C. Gerecht1,a,Luka Šupraha2,b,Gerald Langer3,and Jorijntje Henderiks1,2Andrea C. Gerecht et al. Andrea C. Gerecht1,a,Luka Šupraha2,b,Gerald Langer3,and Jorijntje Henderiks1,2
1Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of
Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0316, Norway
2Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Uppsala University,
Uppsala, 75236, Sweden
3The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The
Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2PB, UK
apresent address: The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics,
UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
bpresent address: Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology,
Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0316, Norway
1Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of
Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0316, Norway
2Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Uppsala University,
Uppsala, 75236, Sweden
3The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The
Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2PB, UK
apresent address: The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics,
UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
bpresent address: Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology,
Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0316, Norway
Correspondence: Andrea C. Gerecht (andrea.gerecht@uit.no)
Received: 06 Apr 2017 – Discussion started: 05 May 2017 – Revised: 29 Sep 2017 – Accepted: 06 Dec 2017 – Published: 09 Feb 2018
Abstract. Calcifying haptophytes (coccolithophores) sequester carbon in the form of organic and inorganic cellular components (coccoliths). We examined the effect of phosphorus (P) limitation and heat stress on particulate organic and inorganic carbon (calcite) production in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Both environmental stressors are related to rising CO2 levels and affect carbon production in marine microalgae, which in turn impacts biogeochemical cycling. Using semi-continuous cultures, we show that P limitation and heat stress decrease the calcification rate in E. huxleyi. However, using batch cultures, we show that different culturing approaches (batch versus semi-continuous) induce different physiologies. This affects the ratio of particulate inorganic (PIC) to organic carbon (POC) and complicates general predictions on the effect of P limitation on the PIC ∕ POC ratio. We found heat stress to increase P requirements in E. huxleyi, possibly leading to lower standing stocks in a warmer ocean, especially if this is linked to lower nutrient input. In summary, the predicted rise in global temperature and resulting decrease in nutrient availability may decrease CO2 sequestration by E. huxleyi through lower overall carbon production. Additionally, the export of carbon may be diminished by a decrease in calcification and a weaker coccolith ballasting effect.
Calcifying phytoplankton play an import role in long-term CO2 removal from the atmosphere. We therefore studied the ability of a representative species to continue sequestrating CO2 under future climate conditions. We show that CO2 sequestration is negatively affected by both an increase in temperature and the resulting decrease in nutrient availability. This will impact the biogeochemical cycle of carbon and may have a positive feedback on rising CO2 levels.
Calcifying phytoplankton play an import role in long-term CO2 removal from the atmosphere. We...
