Articles | Volume 19, issue 24
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5911-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5911-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Upwelled plankton community modulates surface bloom succession and nutrient availability in a natural plankton assemblage
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
Lennart Thomas Bach
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania,
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Javier Arístegui
Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global (IOCAG), Universidad
de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
Elisabeth von der Esch
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
Nauzet Hernández-Hernández
Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global (IOCAG), Universidad
de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
Jonna Piiparinen
Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki,
Finland
Laura Ramajo
Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar,
Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), Coquimbo, Chile
Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)2, Santiago, Chile
Kristian Spilling
Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki,
Finland
Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Kristiansand,
Norway
Ulf Riebesell
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
Related authors
Allanah Joy Paul, Mathias Haunost, Silvan Urs Goldenberg, Jens Hartmann, Nicolás Sánchez, Julieta Schneider, Niels Suitner, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 22, 2749–2766, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2749-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2749-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being assessed for its potential to absorb atmospheric CO2 and store it for a long time. OAE still needs comprehensive assessment of its safety and effectiveness. We studied an idealised OAE application in a natural low-nutrient ecosystem over 1 month. Our results showed that biogeochemical functioning remained mostly stable but that the long-term capability for storing carbon may be limited at high alkalinity concentration.
Giulia Faucher, Mathias Haunost, Allanah Joy Paul, Anne Ulrike Christiane Tietz, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 22, 405–415, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-405-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-405-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being evaluated for its capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2 in the ocean and store it long term to mitigate climate change. As researchers plan for field tests to gain insights into OAE, sharing knowledge on its environmental impact on marine ecosystems is urgent. Our study examined NaOH-induced OAE in Emiliania huxleyi, a key coccolithophore species, and found that the added total alkalinity (ΔTA) should stay below 600 µmol kg⁻¹ to avoid negative impacts.
Moritz Baumann, Allanah Joy Paul, Jan Taucher, Lennart Thomas Bach, Silvan Goldenberg, Paul Stange, Fabrizio Minutolo, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 20, 2595–2612, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2595-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2595-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The sinking velocity of marine particles affects how much atmospheric CO2 is stored inside our oceans. We measured particle sinking velocities in the Peruvian upwelling system and assessed their physical and biochemical drivers. We found that sinking velocity was mainly influenced by particle size and porosity, while ballasting minerals played only a minor role. Our findings help us to better understand the particle sinking dynamics in this highly productive marine system.
Lennart Thomas Bach, Allanah Joy Paul, Tim Boxhammer, Elisabeth von der Esch, Michelle Graco, Kai Georg Schulz, Eric Achterberg, Paulina Aguayo, Javier Arístegui, Patrizia Ayón, Isabel Baños, Avy Bernales, Anne Sophie Boegeholz, Francisco Chavez, Gabriela Chavez, Shao-Min Chen, Kristin Doering, Alba Filella, Martin Fischer, Patricia Grasse, Mathias Haunost, Jan Hennke, Nauzet Hernández-Hernández, Mark Hopwood, Maricarmen Igarza, Verena Kalter, Leila Kittu, Peter Kohnert, Jesus Ledesma, Christian Lieberum, Silke Lischka, Carolin Löscher, Andrea Ludwig, Ursula Mendoza, Jana Meyer, Judith Meyer, Fabrizio Minutolo, Joaquin Ortiz Cortes, Jonna Piiparinen, Claudia Sforna, Kristian Spilling, Sonia Sanchez, Carsten Spisla, Michael Sswat, Mabel Zavala Moreira, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 17, 4831–4852, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4831-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4831-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The eastern boundary upwelling system off Peru is among Earth's most productive ocean ecosystems, but the factors that control its functioning are poorly constrained. Here we used mesocosms, moored ~ 6 km offshore Peru, to investigate how processes in plankton communities drive key biogeochemical processes. We show that nutrient and light co-limitation keep productivity and export at a remarkably constant level while stoichiometry changes strongly with shifts in plankton community structure.
Allanah Joy Paul, Mathias Haunost, Silvan Urs Goldenberg, Jens Hartmann, Nicolás Sánchez, Julieta Schneider, Niels Suitner, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 22, 2749–2766, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2749-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2749-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being assessed for its potential to absorb atmospheric CO2 and store it for a long time. OAE still needs comprehensive assessment of its safety and effectiveness. We studied an idealised OAE application in a natural low-nutrient ecosystem over 1 month. Our results showed that biogeochemical functioning remained mostly stable but that the long-term capability for storing carbon may be limited at high alkalinity concentration.
Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 22, 2381–2381, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2381-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2381-2025, 2025
Librada Ramírez, Leonardo J. Pozzo-Pirotta, Aja Trebec, Víctor Manzanares-Vázquez, José L. Díez, Javier Arístegui, Ulf Riebesell, Stephen D. Archer, and María Segovia
Biogeosciences, 22, 1865–1886, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1865-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1865-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the potential effects of increasing ocean alkalinity on a natural plankton community in subtropical waters of the Atlantic near Gran Canaria, Spain. Alkalinity is the capacity of water to resist acidification, and plankton are usually microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton), often less than 2.5 cm in length. This study suggests that increasing ocean alkalinity did not have a significant negative impact on the plankton community studied.
Julieta Schneider, Ulf Riebesell, Charly André Moras, Laura Marín-Samper, Leila Kittu, Joaquín Ortíz-Cortes, and Kai George Schulz
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-524, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-524, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is an approach to sequester additional atmospheric CO2 in the ocean and may alleviate ocean acidification. A large-scale mesocosm experiment in Norway tested Ca- and Si-based OAE, increasing total alkalinity (TA) by 0–600 µmol kg-1 and measuring CO2 gas exchange. While TA remained stable, we found mineral-type and/or pCO2/pH effects on coccolithophorid calcification, net community production and zooplankton respiration, providing insights for future OAE trials.
Luis P. Valencia, Ángel Rodríguez-Santana, Borja Aguiar-Gonzaléz, Javier Arístegui, Xosé A. Álvarez-Salgado, Josep Coca, and Antonio Martínez-Marrero
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-99, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-99, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study investigates a rotating body of water south of the Canary Islands, known as an intrathermocline eddy. With an isolated core below the surface, it displayed unique energy distribution and structure. It intensified through interactions with productive coastal waters, while its year-long life cycle was regulated by nearby eddy interactions. By transporting coastal waters offshore, it influenced regional circulation, emphasizing the need for more studies on such eddies.
Giulia Faucher, Mathias Haunost, Allanah Joy Paul, Anne Ulrike Christiane Tietz, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 22, 405–415, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-405-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-405-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being evaluated for its capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2 in the ocean and store it long term to mitigate climate change. As researchers plan for field tests to gain insights into OAE, sharing knowledge on its environmental impact on marine ecosystems is urgent. Our study examined NaOH-induced OAE in Emiliania huxleyi, a key coccolithophore species, and found that the added total alkalinity (ΔTA) should stay below 600 µmol kg⁻¹ to avoid negative impacts.
Philipp Suessle, Jan Taucher, Silvan Urs Goldenberg, Moritz Baumann, Kristian Spilling, Andrea Noche-Ferreira, Mari Vanharanta, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 22, 71–86, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-71-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-71-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a negative emission technology which may alter marine communities and the particle export they drive. Here, impacts of carbonate-based OAE on the flux and attenuation of sinking particles in an oligotrophic plankton community are presented. Whilst biological parameters remained unaffected, abiotic carbonate precipitation occurred. Among counteracting OAE’s efficiency, it influenced mineral ballasting and particle sinking velocities, requiring monitoring.
Laura Marín-Samper, Javier Arístegui, Nauzet Hernández-Hernández, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 21, 5707–5724, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-5707-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-5707-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study exposed a natural community to two non-CO2-equilibrated ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) deployments using different minerals. Adding alkalinity in this manner decreases dissolved CO2, essential for photosynthesis. While photosynthesis was not suppressed, bloom formation was mildly delayed, potentially impacting marine food webs. The study emphasizes the need for further research on OAE without prior equilibration and on its ecological implications.
Niels Suitner, Giulia Faucher, Carl Lim, Julieta Schneider, Charly A. Moras, Ulf Riebesell, and Jens Hartmann
Biogeosciences, 21, 4587–4604, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4587-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4587-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Recent studies described the precipitation of carbonates as a result of alkalinity enhancement in seawater, which could adversely affect the carbon sequestration potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) approaches. By conducting experiments in natural seawater, this study observed uniform patterns during the triggered runaway carbonate precipitation, which allow the prediction of safe and efficient local application levels of OAE scenarios.
Silvan Urs Goldenberg, Ulf Riebesell, Daniel Brüggemann, Gregor Börner, Michael Sswat, Arild Folkvord, Maria Couret, Synne Spjelkavik, Nicolás Sánchez, Cornelia Jaspers, and Marta Moyano
Biogeosciences, 21, 4521–4532, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4521-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4521-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being evaluated as a carbon dioxide removal technology for climate change mitigation. With an experiment on species communities, we show that larval and juvenile fish can be resilient to the resulting perturbation of seawater. Fish may hence recruit successfully and continue to support fisheries' production in regions of OAE. Our findings help to establish an environmentally safe operating space for this ocean-based solution.
Sebastian I. Cantarero, Edgart Flores, Harry Allbrook, Paulina Aguayo, Cristian A. Vargas, John E. Tamanaha, J. Bentley C. Scholz, Lennart T. Bach, Carolin R. Löscher, Ulf Riebesell, Balaji Rajagopalan, Nadia Dildar, and Julio Sepúlveda
Biogeosciences, 21, 3927–3958, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3927-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3927-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our study explores lipid remodeling in response to environmental stress, specifically how cell membrane chemistry changes. We focus on intact polar lipids in a phytoplankton community exposed to diverse stressors in a mesocosm experiment. The observed remodeling indicates acyl chain recycling for energy storage in intact polar lipids during stress, reallocating resources based on varying growth conditions. This understanding is essential to grasp the system's impact on cellular pools.
Lennart Thomas Bach, Aaron James Ferderer, Julie LaRoche, and Kai Georg Schulz
Biogeosciences, 21, 3665–3676, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3665-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3665-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is an emerging marine CO2 removal method, but its environmental effects are insufficiently understood. The OAE Pelagic Impact Intercomparison Project (OAEPIIP) provides funding for a standardized and globally replicated microcosm experiment to study the effects of OAE on plankton communities. Here, we provide a detailed manual for the OAEPIIP experiment. We expect OAEPIIP to help build scientific consensus on the effects of OAE on plankton.
Charly A. Moras, Tyler Cyronak, Lennart T. Bach, Renaud Joannes-Boyau, and Kai G. Schulz
Biogeosciences, 21, 3463–3475, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3463-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3463-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the effects of mineral grain size and seawater salinity on magnesium hydroxide dissolution and calcium carbonate precipitation kinetics for ocean alkalinity enhancement. Salinity did not affect the dissolution, but calcium carbonate formed earlier at lower salinities due to the lower magnesium and dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Smaller grain sizes dissolved faster but calcium carbonate precipitated earlier, suggesting that medium grain sizes are optimal for kinetics.
Laura Marín-Samper, Javier Arístegui, Nauzet Hernández-Hernández, Joaquín Ortiz, Stephen D. Archer, Andrea Ludwig, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 21, 2859–2876, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2859-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2859-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our planet is facing a climate crisis. Scientists are working on innovative solutions that will aid in capturing the hard to abate emissions before it is too late. Exciting research reveals that ocean alkalinity enhancement, a key climate change mitigation strategy, does not harm phytoplankton, the cornerstone of marine ecosystems. Through meticulous study, we may have uncovered a positive relationship: up to a specific limit, enhancing ocean alkalinity boosts photosynthesis by certain species.
Aaron Ferderer, Kai G. Schulz, Ulf Riebesell, Kirralee G. Baker, Zanna Chase, and Lennart T. Bach
Biogeosciences, 21, 2777–2794, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2777-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2777-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a promising method of atmospheric carbon removal; however, its ecological impacts remain largely unknown. We assessed the effects of simulated silicate- and calcium-based mineral OAE on diatom silicification. We found that increased silicate concentrations from silicate-based OAE increased diatom silicification. In contrast, the enhancement of alkalinity had no effect on community silicification and minimal effects on the silicification of different genera.
David González-Santana, María Segovia, Melchor González-Dávila, Librada Ramírez, Aridane G. González, Leonardo J. Pozzo-Pirotta, Veronica Arnone, Victor Vázquez, Ulf Riebesell, and J. Magdalena Santana-Casiano
Biogeosciences, 21, 2705–2715, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2705-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2705-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In a recent experiment off the coast of Gran Canaria (Spain), scientists explored a method called ocean alkalinization enhancement (OAE), where carbonate minerals were added to seawater. This process changed the levels of certain ions in the water, affecting its pH and buffering capacity. The researchers were particularly interested in how this could impact the levels of essential trace metals in the water.
Jiaying A. Guo, Robert F. Strzepek, Kerrie M. Swadling, Ashley T. Townsend, and Lennart T. Bach
Biogeosciences, 21, 2335–2354, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2335-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2335-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement aims to increase atmospheric CO2 sequestration by adding alkaline materials to the ocean. We assessed the environmental effects of olivine and steel slag powder on coastal plankton. Overall, slag is more efficient than olivine in releasing total alkalinity and, thus, in its ability to sequester CO2. Slag also had less environmental effect on the enclosed plankton communities when considering its higher CO2 removal potential based on this 3-week experiment.
Christian Lønborg, Cátia Carreira, Gwenaël Abril, Susana Agustí, Valentina Amaral, Agneta Andersson, Javier Arístegui, Punyasloke Bhadury, Mariana B. Bif, Alberto V. Borges, Steven Bouillon, Maria Ll. Calleja, Luiz C. Cotovicz Jr., Stefano Cozzi, Maryló Doval, Carlos M. Duarte, Bradley Eyre, Cédric G. Fichot, E. Elena García-Martín, Alexandra Garzon-Garcia, Michele Giani, Rafael Gonçalves-Araujo, Renee Gruber, Dennis A. Hansell, Fuminori Hashihama, Ding He, Johnna M. Holding, William R. Hunter, J. Severino P. Ibánhez, Valeria Ibello, Shan Jiang, Guebuem Kim, Katja Klun, Piotr Kowalczuk, Atsushi Kubo, Choon-Weng Lee, Cláudia B. Lopes, Federica Maggioni, Paolo Magni, Celia Marrase, Patrick Martin, S. Leigh McCallister, Roisin McCallum, Patricia M. Medeiros, Xosé Anxelu G. Morán, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Allison Myers-Pigg, Marit Norli, Joanne M. Oakes, Helena Osterholz, Hyekyung Park, Maria Lund Paulsen, Judith A. Rosentreter, Jeff D. Ross, Digna Rueda-Roa, Chiara Santinelli, Yuan Shen, Eva Teira, Tinkara Tinta, Guenther Uher, Masahide Wakita, Nicholas Ward, Kenta Watanabe, Yu Xin, Youhei Yamashita, Liyang Yang, Jacob Yeo, Huamao Yuan, Qiang Zheng, and Xosé Antón Álvarez-Salgado
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 1107–1119, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1107-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1107-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we present the first edition of a global database compiling previously published and unpublished measurements of dissolved organic matter (DOM) collected in coastal waters (CoastDOM v1). Overall, the CoastDOM v1 dataset will be useful to identify global spatial and temporal patterns and to facilitate reuse in studies aimed at better characterizing local biogeochemical processes and identifying a baseline for modelling future changes in coastal waters.
Xiaoke Xin, Giulia Faucher, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 21, 761–772, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-761-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-761-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a promising approach to remove CO2 by accelerating natural rock weathering. However, some of the alkaline substances contain trace metals which could be toxic to marine life. By exposing three representative phytoplankton species to Ni released from alkaline materials, we observed varying responses of phytoplankton to nickel concentrations, suggesting caution should be taken and toxic thresholds should be avoided in OAE with Ni-rich materials.
Lennart Thomas Bach
Biogeosciences, 21, 261–277, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-261-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-261-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a widely considered marine carbon dioxide removal method. OAE aims to accelerate chemical rock weathering, which is a natural process that slowly sequesters atmospheric carbon dioxide. This study shows that the addition of anthropogenic alkalinity via OAE can reduce the natural release of alkalinity and, therefore, reduce the efficiency of OAE for climate mitigation. However, the additionality problem could be mitigated via a variety of activities.
David T. Ho, Laurent Bopp, Jaime B. Palter, Matthew C. Long, Philip W. Boyd, Griet Neukermans, and Lennart T. Bach
State Planet, 2-oae2023, 12, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-12-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-12-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) refers to the multistep process to quantify the amount of carbon dioxide removed by a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) activity. Here, we make recommendations for MRV for Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) research, arguing that it has an obligation for comprehensiveness, reproducibility, and transparency, as it may become the foundation for assessing large-scale deployment. Both observations and numerical simulations will be needed for MRV.
Tyler Cyronak, Rebecca Albright, and Lennart T. Bach
State Planet, 2-oae2023, 7, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-7-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-7-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approach. Publicly funded research projects have begun, and philanthropic funding and start-ups are collectively pushing the field forward. This rapid progress in research activities has created an urgent need to learn if and how OAE can work at scale. This chapter of the Guide to Best Practices in Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research focuses on field experiments.
Ulf Riebesell, Daniela Basso, Sonja Geilert, Andrew W. Dale, and Matthias Kreuzburg
State Planet, 2-oae2023, 6, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-6-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-6-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Mesocosm experiments represent a highly valuable tool in determining the safe operating space of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) applications. By combining realism and biological complexity with controllability and replication, they provide an ideal OAE test bed and a critical stepping stone towards field applications. Mesocosm approaches can also be helpful in testing the efficacy, efficiency and permanence of OAE applications.
Kai G. Schulz, Lennart T. Bach, and Andrew G. Dickson
State Planet, 2-oae2023, 2, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-2-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-2-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement is a promising approach for long-term anthropogenic carbon dioxide sequestration, required to avoid catastrophic climate change. In this chapter we describe its impacts on seawater carbonate chemistry speciation and highlight pitfalls that need to be avoided during sampling, storage, measurements, and calculations.
Andreas Oschlies, Lennart T. Bach, Rosalind E. M. Rickaby, Terre Satterfield, Romany Webb, and Jean-Pierre Gattuso
State Planet, 2-oae2023, 1, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-1-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-1-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Reaching promised climate targets will require the deployment of carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Marine CDR options receive more and more interest. Based on idealized theoretical studies, ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) appears as a promising marine CDR method. We provide an overview on the current situation of developing OAE as a marine CDR method and describe the history that has led to the creation of the OAE research best practice guide.
Moritz Baumann, Allanah Joy Paul, Jan Taucher, Lennart Thomas Bach, Silvan Goldenberg, Paul Stange, Fabrizio Minutolo, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 20, 2595–2612, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2595-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2595-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The sinking velocity of marine particles affects how much atmospheric CO2 is stored inside our oceans. We measured particle sinking velocities in the Peruvian upwelling system and assessed their physical and biochemical drivers. We found that sinking velocity was mainly influenced by particle size and porosity, while ballasting minerals played only a minor role. Our findings help us to better understand the particle sinking dynamics in this highly productive marine system.
Kristian Spilling, Jonna Piiparinen, Eric P. Achterberg, Javier Arístegui, Lennart T. Bach, Maria T. Camarena-Gómez, Elisabeth von der Esch, Martin A. Fischer, Markel Gómez-Letona, Nauzet Hernández-Hernández, Judith Meyer, Ruth A. Schmitz, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 20, 1605–1619, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1605-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1605-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We carried out an enclosure experiment using surface water off Peru with different additions of oxygen minimum zone water. In this paper, we report on enzyme activity and provide data on the decomposition of organic matter. We found very high activity with respect to an enzyme breaking down protein, suggesting that this is important for nutrient recycling both at present and in the future ocean.
Markus A. Min, David M. Needham, Sebastian Sudek, Nathan Kobun Truelove, Kathleen J. Pitz, Gabriela M. Chavez, Camille Poirier, Bente Gardeler, Elisabeth von der Esch, Andrea Ludwig, Ulf Riebesell, Alexandra Z. Worden, and Francisco P. Chavez
Biogeosciences, 20, 1277–1298, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1277-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1277-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Emerging molecular methods provide new ways of understanding how marine communities respond to changes in ocean conditions. Here, environmental DNA was used to track the temporal evolution of biological communities in the Peruvian coastal upwelling system and in an adjacent enclosure where upwelling was simulated. We found that the two communities quickly diverged, with the open ocean being one found during upwelling and the enclosure evolving to one found under stratified conditions.
Jens Hartmann, Niels Suitner, Carl Lim, Julieta Schneider, Laura Marín-Samper, Javier Arístegui, Phil Renforth, Jan Taucher, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 20, 781–802, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-781-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-781-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
CO2 can be stored in the ocean via increasing alkalinity of ocean water. Alkalinity can be created via dissolution of alkaline materials, like limestone or soda. Presented research studies boundaries for increasing alkalinity in seawater. The best way to increase alkalinity was found using an equilibrated solution, for example as produced from reactors. Adding particles for dissolution into seawater on the other hand produces the risk of losing alkalinity and degassing of CO2 to the atmosphere.
Aaron Ferderer, Zanna Chase, Fraser Kennedy, Kai G. Schulz, and Lennart T. Bach
Biogeosciences, 19, 5375–5399, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5375-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5375-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement has the capacity to remove vast quantities of carbon from the atmosphere, but its effect on marine ecosystems is largely unknown. We assessed the effect of increased alkalinity on a coastal phytoplankton community when seawater was equilibrated and not equilibrated with atmospheric CO2. We found that the phytoplankton community was moderately affected by increased alkalinity and equilibration with atmospheric CO2 had little influence on this effect.
Jiaying Abby Guo, Robert Strzepek, Anusuya Willis, Aaron Ferderer, and Lennart Thomas Bach
Biogeosciences, 19, 3683–3697, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3683-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3683-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement is a CO2 removal method with significant potential, but it can lead to a perturbation of the ocean with trace metals such as nickel. This study tested the effect of increasing nickel concentrations on phytoplankton growth and photosynthesis. We found that the response to nickel varied across the 11 phytoplankton species tested here, but the majority were rather insensitive. We note, however, that responses may be different under other experimental conditions.
Charly A. Moras, Lennart T. Bach, Tyler Cyronak, Renaud Joannes-Boyau, and Kai G. Schulz
Biogeosciences, 19, 3537–3557, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3537-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3537-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This research presents the first laboratory results of quick and hydrated lime dissolution in natural seawater. These two minerals are of great interest for ocean alkalinity enhancement, a strategy aiming to decrease atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Following the dissolution of these minerals, we identified several hurdles and presented ways to avoid them or completely negate them. Finally, we proceeded to various simulations in today’s oceans to implement the strategy at its highest potential.
Shao-Min Chen, Ulf Riebesell, Kai G. Schulz, Elisabeth von der Esch, Eric P. Achterberg, and Lennart T. Bach
Biogeosciences, 19, 295–312, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-295-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-295-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Oxygen minimum zones in the ocean are characterized by enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and are being further acidified by increasing anthropogenic atmospheric CO2. Here we report CO2 system measurements in a mesocosm study offshore Peru during a rare coastal El Niño event to investigate how CO2 dynamics may respond to ongoing ocean deoxygenation. Our observations show that nitrogen limitation, productivity, and plankton community shift play an important role in driving the CO2 dynamics.
Kai G. Schulz, Eric P. Achterberg, Javier Arístegui, Lennart T. Bach, Isabel Baños, Tim Boxhammer, Dirk Erler, Maricarmen Igarza, Verena Kalter, Andrea Ludwig, Carolin Löscher, Jana Meyer, Judith Meyer, Fabrizio Minutolo, Elisabeth von der Esch, Bess B. Ward, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 18, 4305–4320, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4305-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4305-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Upwelling of nutrient-rich deep waters to the surface make eastern boundary upwelling systems hot spots of marine productivity. This leads to subsurface oxygen depletion and the transformation of bioavailable nitrogen into inert N2. Here we quantify nitrogen loss processes following a simulated deep water upwelling. Denitrification was the dominant process, and budget calculations suggest that a significant portion of nitrogen that could be exported to depth is already lost in the surface ocean.
Nadia Burgoa, Francisco Machín, Ángel Rodríguez-Santana, Ángeles Marrero-Díaz, Xosé Antón Álvarez-Salgado, Bieito Fernández-Castro, María Dolores Gelado-Caballero, and Javier Arístegui
Ocean Sci., 17, 769–788, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-769-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-769-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The circulation patterns in the confluence of the North Atlantic subtropical and tropical gyres delimited by the Cape Verde Front were examined during a field cruise in summer 2017. The collected hydrographic data, O2 and inorganic nutrients along the perimeter of a closed box embracing the Cape Verde Frontal Zone allowed for the independent estimation of the transport of these properties.
Lennart Thomas Bach, Allanah Joy Paul, Tim Boxhammer, Elisabeth von der Esch, Michelle Graco, Kai Georg Schulz, Eric Achterberg, Paulina Aguayo, Javier Arístegui, Patrizia Ayón, Isabel Baños, Avy Bernales, Anne Sophie Boegeholz, Francisco Chavez, Gabriela Chavez, Shao-Min Chen, Kristin Doering, Alba Filella, Martin Fischer, Patricia Grasse, Mathias Haunost, Jan Hennke, Nauzet Hernández-Hernández, Mark Hopwood, Maricarmen Igarza, Verena Kalter, Leila Kittu, Peter Kohnert, Jesus Ledesma, Christian Lieberum, Silke Lischka, Carolin Löscher, Andrea Ludwig, Ursula Mendoza, Jana Meyer, Judith Meyer, Fabrizio Minutolo, Joaquin Ortiz Cortes, Jonna Piiparinen, Claudia Sforna, Kristian Spilling, Sonia Sanchez, Carsten Spisla, Michael Sswat, Mabel Zavala Moreira, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 17, 4831–4852, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4831-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4831-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The eastern boundary upwelling system off Peru is among Earth's most productive ocean ecosystems, but the factors that control its functioning are poorly constrained. Here we used mesocosms, moored ~ 6 km offshore Peru, to investigate how processes in plankton communities drive key biogeochemical processes. We show that nutrient and light co-limitation keep productivity and export at a remarkably constant level while stoichiometry changes strongly with shifts in plankton community structure.
Cited articles
Arrigo, K. R.: Marine microorganisms and global nutrient cycles, Nature,
437, 349–355, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04159, 2005.
Bach, L. T., Stange, P., Taucher, J., Achterberg, E. P.,
Algueró-Muñiz, M., Horn, H., Esposito, M. and Riebesell, U.: The
Influence of Plankton Community Structure on Sinking Velocity and
Remineralization Rate of Marine Aggregates, Global Biogeochem. Cy.,
33, 971–994, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GB006256, 2019.
Bach, L. T., Paul, A. J., Boxhammer, T., von der Esch, E., Graco, M.,
Schulz, K. G., Achterberg, E., Aguayo, P., Aristegui, J., Ayon, P., Banos,
I., Bernales, A., Boegeholz, A. S., Chavez, F., Chen, S.-M., Doering, K.,
Filella, A., Fischer, M., Grasse, P., Haunost, M., Hennke, J.,
Hernandez-Hernandez, N., Hopwood, M., Igarza, M., Kalter, V., Kittu, L.,
Kohnert, P., Ledesma, J., Lieberum, C., Lischka, S., Loescher, C., Ludwig,
A., Mendoza, U., Meyer, J., Meyer, J., Minutolo, F., Ortiz Cortes, J.,
Piiparinen, J., Sforna, C., Spilling, K., Sanchez, S., Spisla, C., Sswat,
M., Zavala Moreira, M., and Riebesell, U.: Factors controlling plankton
productivity, particulate matter stoichiometry, and export flux in the
coastal upwelling system off Peru, Biogeosciences, 17, 4831–4852,
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4831-2020, 2020.
Benner, R. and Amon, R. M. W.: The Size-Reactivity Continuum of Major
Bioelements in the Ocean, Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci., 7, 185–205,
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-marine-010213-135126, 2015.
Bode, A., Botas, J. A., and Fernández, E.: Nitrate storage by
phytoplankton in a coastal upwelling environment, Mar. Biol., 129,
399–406, https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270050180, 1997.
Bruland, K. W., Rue, E. L., Smith, G. J., and DiTullio, G. R.: Iron,
macronutrients and diatom blooms in the Peru upwelling regime: brown and
blue waters of Peru, Mar. Chem., 93, 81–103,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2004.06.011, 2005.
Carreto, J. I., Montoya, N. G., Carignan, M. O., Akselman, R., Acha, E. M.,
and Derisio, C.: Environmental and biological factors controlling the spring
phytoplankton bloom at the Patagonian shelf-break front – Degraded
fucoxanthin pigments and the importance of microzooplankton grazing, Prog.
Oceanogr., 146, 1–21, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2016.05.002, 2016.
Catalá, T. S., Martinez-Perez, A. M., Nieto-Cid, M., Alvarez, M., Otero,
J., Emelianoc, M., Reche, I., Aristegui, J., and Alvarez-Salgado, X. A.:
Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in the open Mediterranean Sea, I. Basin–wide
distribution and drivers of chromophoric DOM, Prog. Oceanogr., 165, 35–51,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2018.05.002, 2018.
Chavez, F. P. and Messié, M.: A comparison of Eastern Boundary Upwelling
Ecosystems, Prog. Oceanogr., 83, 80–96,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2009.07.032, 2009.
Czerny, J., Hauss, H., Löscher, C., and Riebesell, U.: Dissolved N : P
ratio changes in the eastern tropical North Atlantic: effect on
phytoplankton growth and community structure, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 545,
49–62, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11600, 2016.
Espinoza–Morriberón, D., Echevin, V., Colas, F., Tam, J., Ledesma, J.,
Vásquez, L., and Graco, M.: Impacts of El Niño events on the Peruvian
upwelling system productivity, J. Geophys. Res.-Ocean., 122, 5423–5444,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JC012439, 2017.
Falkowski, P. G., Lin, H., and Gorbunov, M. Y.: What limits photosynthetic
energy conversion efficiency in nature? Lessons from the oceans, Philos.
T. R. Soc. B, 372, 20160376,
https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0376, 2017.
Fawcett, S. E. and Ward, B. B.: Phytoplankton succession and nitrogen
utilization during the development of an upwelling bloom, Mar. Ecol. Prog.
Ser., 428, 13–31, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09070, 2011.
Franz, J., Krahmann, G., Lavik, G., Grasse, P., Dittmar, T., and Riebesell,
U.: Dynamics and stoichiometry of nutrients and phytoplankton in waters
influenced by the oxygen minimum zone in the eastern tropical Pacific, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 62, 20–31,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2011.12.004, 2012.
Fuenzalida, R., Schneider, W., Garcés-Vargas, J., Bravo, L., and Lange,
C.: Vertical and horizontal extension of the oxygen minimum zone in the
eastern South Pacific Ocean, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. II,
56, 992–1003, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2008.11.001, 2009.
Gorbunov, M. Y. and Falkowski, P. G.: Fluorescence induction and relaxation
(FIRe) technique and instrumentation for monitoring photosynthetic processes
and primary production in aquatic ecosystems, in: Photosynthesis:
Fundamental Aspects to Global Perspectives, edited by: Bruce, D. and van
der Est, A., 1029–1031, Allen Press, Montreal, Canada, ISBN: 1891276395, 2004.
Graco, M., Anculle, T., Aramayo, V., Bernales, A., Carhuapoma, W., Correa,
D., Fernandez, J. C. E., Garcia, W., Ledesma, J., Marquina, R., Quipuzcoa,
L., Romero, D., Sarmiento, M., and Solis, J.: Analysis of oceanographic and
biological conditions of the coastal upwelling off Callao in contrasting
periods during 2018, ISSN: 04587766, 34, 519–543, Instituto del Mar del Perú, https://repositorio.imarpe.gob.pe/handle/20.500.12958/3389 (last access: 19 December 2022), 2019.
Green, S. A. and Blough, N. V.: Optical Absorption and Fluorescence
Properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in natural waters,
Limnol. Oceanogr., 39, 1903–1916, https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1994.39.8.1903, 1994.
Gutiérrez, D., Akester, M., and Naranjo, L.: Productivity and Sustainable
Management of the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem under climate
change, Environ. Dev., 17, 126–144, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2015.11.004, 2016.
Hauss, H., Franz, J. M. S., and Sommer, U.: Changes in N : P stoichiometry
influence taxonomic composition and nutritional quality of phytoplankton in
the Peruvian upwelling, J. Sea Res., 73, 74–85,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2012.06.010, 2012.
Helms, J. R., Stubbins, A., Ritchie, J. D., Minor, E. C., Kieber, D. J., and
Mopper, K.: Absorption spectral slopes and slope ratios as indicators of
molecular weight, source, and photobleaching of chromophoric dissolved
organic matter, Limnol. Oceanogr., 53, 955–969,
https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2008.53.3.0955, 2008.
Peru Ministry of Production: Anuario estadistico pesquero y acuicola 2013, Lima, Peru, https://www.produce.gob.pe/documentos/estadisticas/anuarios/anuario-estadistico-pesca-2013.pdf (last access: 6 December 2022), 2015.
Ishikawa, A. and Furuya, K.: The role of diatom resting stages in the onset
of the spring bloom in the East China Sea, Mar. Biol., 145, 633–639,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1331-9, 2004.
Kämpf, J. and Chapman, P.: The Peruvian-Chilean Coastal Upwelling
System, in: Upwelling Systems of the World, Springer
International Publishing, Cham, Switzerland, 161–201, (eBook)
ISBN: 978-3-319-42524-5, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42524-5, 2016.
Kittu, L., Paul, A. J., Löscher, C. R., Meyer, J., and Riebesell, U.:
Weak response of N2 fixation activity to low N : P stoichiometry observed
during a simulated upwelling event off the coast of Peru, in preparation, 2022.
Kolber, Z., Zehr, J., and Falkowski, P. G.: Effects of growth irradiance and
nitrogen limitation on photosynthetic energy conversion in Photosystem II,
Plant Physiol., 88, 923–929, https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.88.3.923, 1988.
Krishna, S. and Schartau, M.: A data-model synthesis to explain variability
in calcification observed during a CO2 perturbation mesocosm
experiment, Biogeosciences, 14, 1857–1882, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-1857-2017,
2017.
Lam, P., Lavik, G., Jensen, M. M., Vossenberg, J. van de, Schmid, M.,
Woebken, D., Gutiérrez, D., Amann, R., Jetten, M. S. M., and Kuypers, M.
M. M.: Revising the nitrogen cycle in the Peruvian oxygen minimum zone,
P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 106, 4752–4757, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0812444106,
2009.
Lampe, R. H., Cohen, N. R., Ellis, K. A., Bruland, K. W., Maldonado, M. T.,
Peterson, T. D., Till, C. P., Brzezinski, M. A., Bargu, S., Thamatrakoln,
K., Kuzminov, F. I., Twining, B. S., and Marchetti, A.: Divergent gene
expression among phytoplankton taxa in response to upwelling, Environ.
Microbiol., 20, 3069–3082, https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.14361, 2018.
Lampe, R. H., Wang, S., Cassar, N., and Marchetti, A.: Strategies among
phytoplankton in response to alleviation of nutrient stress in a subtropical
gyre, ISME J., 13, 2984–2997, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-019-0489-6, 2019.
Lassiter, A. M., Wilkerson, F. P., Dugdale, R. C., and Hogue, V. E.:
Phytoplankton assemblages in the CoOP-WEST coastal upwelling area, Deep-Sea
Res. Pt. II, 53, 3063–3077,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2006.07.013, 2006.
Lenth, R.: emmeans: Estimated Marginal Means, aka Least-Square Means
(version 1.4.8) [code],
https://cran.r-project.org/package=emmeans (last access: 14 December 2022), 2020.
Loginova, A. N., Thomsen, S., Dengler, M., Lüdke, J., and Engel, A.:
Diapycnal dissolved organic matter supply into the upper Peruvian oxycline,
Biogeosciences, 16, 2033–2047, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-2033-2019, 2019.
Lønborg, C. and Aìlvarez-Salgado, X. A.: Tracing dissolved organic matter
cycling in the eastern boundary of the temperate North Atlantic using
absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 85, 35–46, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2013.11. 002, 2014.
Maßmig, M., Lüdke, J., Krahmann, G., and Engel, A.: Bacterial
degradation activity in the eastern tropical South Pacific oxygen minimum
zone, Biogeosciences, 17, 215–230, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-215-2020, 2020.
Messié, M. and Chavez, F. P.: Seasonal regulation of primary production
in eastern boundary upwelling systems, Prog. Oceanogr., 134, 1–18,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2014.10.011, 2015.
Meyer, J., Löscher, C. R., Lavik, G., and Riebesell, U.: Mechanisms of P*
Reduction in the Eastern Tropical South Pacific, Front. Mar. Sci., 4, 1,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00001, 2017.
Morris, A. W. and Riley, J. P.: The determination of nitrate in sea water,
Anal. Chim. Acta, 29, 272–279, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88614-6, 1963.
Morris, J. J., Lenski, R. E., and Zinser, E. R.: The Black Queen Hypothesis:
Evolution of Dependencies through Adaptive Gene Loss, MBio, 3, e00036-12,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00036-12, 2012.
Mullin, J. B. and Riley, J. P.: The colorimetric determination of silicate
with special reference to sea and natural waters, Anal. Chim. Acta, 12,
162–176, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(00)87825-3, 1955.
Oksanen, J., Blanchet, F. Guillaume Friendly, M., Kindt, R., Legendre, P.,
McGlinn, D., Minchin, P. R., O'Hara, R. B., Simpson, G. L., Solymos, P., H.
Stevens, M. H., Szoecs, E., and Wagner, H.: vegan: Community Ecology Package
(version 2.5-6) [code],
https://cran.r-project.org/package=vegan (last access: 14 December 2022), 2019.
Paul, A. J., Arístegui, J., Bach, L. T., Hernández-Hernández, N., Piiparinen, J., Riebesell, U., and Spilling, K.: KOSMOS 2017 Peru Side Experiment: nutrients, phytoplankton abundances, enzyme rates, photophysiology, PANGAEA [data set], https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.941138, 2022.
Pennington, J. T., Mahoney, K. L., Kuwahara, V. S., Kolber, D. D., Calienes,
R., and Chavez, F. P.: Primary production in the eastern tropical Pacific: A
review, Prog. Oceanogr., 69, 285–317,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2006.03.012, 2006.
Pinheiro, J., Bates, D., DebRoy, S., Sarkar, D., and R Development Core Team:
nlme: Linear and Nonlinear Mixed Effects Models (version 3.1-145) [code], https://cran.r-project.org/package=nlme (last access: 14 December 2022), 2020.
R Core Team: R: A language and environment for statistical computing [code],
http://www.r-project.org/ (last access: 14 December 2022), 2020.
Rigby, S. J., Williams, R. G., Achterberg, E. P., and Tagliabue, A.: Resource
Availability and Entrainment Are Driven by Offsets Between Nutriclines and
Winter Mixed-Layer Depth, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 34, e2019GB006497,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GB006497, 2020.
Robidart, J. C., Magasin, J. D., Shilova, I. N., Turk-Kubo, K. A., Wilson,
S. T., Karl, D. M., Scholin, C. A., and Zehr, J. P.: Effects of nutrient
enrichment on surface microbial community gene expression in the
oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, ISME J., 13, 374–387,
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-018-0280-0, 2019.
Schmidt, K., Schlosser, C., Atkinson, A., Fielding, S., Venables, H. J.,
Waluda, C. M., and Achterberg, E. P.: Zooplankton Gut Passage Mobilizes
Lithogenic Iron for Ocean Productivity, Curr. Biol., 26, 2667–2673,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.07.058, 2016.
Seegers, B. N., Birch, J. M., Marin III, R., Scholin, C. A., Caron, D. A.,
Seubert, E. L., Howard, M. D. A., Robertson, G. L., and Jones, B. H.:
Subsurface seeding of surface harmful algal blooms observed through the
integration of autonomous gliders, moored environmental sample processors,
and satellite remote sensing in southern California, Limnol. Oceanogr.,
60, 754–764, https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10082, 2015.
Smayda, T. J. and Trainer, V. L.: Dinoflagellate blooms in upwelling
systems: Seeding, variability, and contrasts with diatom bloom behaviour,
Prog. Oceanogr., 85, 92–107, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2010.02.006, 2010.
Spilling, K., Camarena-Gómez, M.-T., Lipsewers, T., Martinez-Varela, A.,
Díaz-Rosas, F., Eronen-Rasimus, E., Silva, N., von Dassow, P., and
Montecino, V.: Impacts of reduced inorganic N : P ratio on three distinct
plankton communities in the Humboldt upwelling system, Mar. Biol., 166,
114, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3561-x, 2019.
Stauffer, B. A., Sukhatme, G. S., and Caron, D. A.: Physical and
Biogeochemical Factors Driving Spatially Heterogeneous Phytoplankton Blooms
in Nearshore Waters of Santa Monica Bay, USA, Estuar. Coast., 43,
909–926, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00704-5, 2020.
Stoecker, D. K. and Gustafson, D. E.: Cell-surface proteolytic activity of
photosynthetic dinoflagellates, Aquat. Microb. Ecol., 30, 175–183,
https://doi.org/10.3354/ame030175, 2003.
Stolte, W. and Riegman, R.: Effect of phytoplankton cell size on
transient-state nitrate and ammonium uptake kinetics, Microbiology, 141,
1221–1229, https://doi.org/10.1099/13500872-141-5-1221, 1995.
Sydeman, W. J., García-Reyes, M., Schoeman, D. S., Rykaczewski, R. R.,
Thompson, S. A., Black, B. A., and Bograd, S. J.: Climate change and wind
intensification in coastal upwelling ecosystems, Science,
345, 77–80, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1251635, 2014.
Tarazona, J. and Arntz, W.: The Peruvian Coastal Upwelling System, in:
Coastal Marine Ecosystems of Latin America, edited by: Seeliger, U. and
Kjerfve, B., Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, 229–244, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-04482-7_17,
2001.
Taylor, D., Nixon, S., Granger, S., and Buckley, B.: Nutrient limitation and
the eutrophication of coastal lagoons, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 127, 235–244,
https://doi.org/10.3354/meps127235, 1995.
Veldhuis, M. J. W. and Kraay, G. W.: Application of flow cytometry in marine
phytoplankton research: current applications and future perspectives, Sci.
Mar., 64, 121–134, https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2000.64n2121, 2000.
Weinbauer, M. G., Bonilla-Findji, O., Chan, A. M., Dolan, J. R., Short, S.
M., Šimek, K., Wilhelm, S. W., and Suttle, C. A.: Synechococcus growth in
the ocean may depend on the lysis of heterotrophic bacteria, J. Plank.
Res., 33, 1465–1476, https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbr041, 2011.
Welschmeyer, N. A.: Fluorometric analysis of Chlorophyll a in the presence
of Chlorophyll b and pheopigments, Limnol. Oceanogr., 39, 1985–1992,
https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1994.39.8.1985, 1994.
Co-editor-in-chief
By using an experimental approach to study how upwelling deep water modulates chemistry and biology response of surface plankton communities the authors address a highly relevant scientific topic as expected climate change will significantly alter ocean currents and upwelling patterns. This is particularly important as stimulation of highly productive phytoplankton blooms by upwelling water are generally attributed to the inputs of water rich in inorganic nutrients into the sunlit surface ocean. By using an experimental approach the authors could disentangle the different drivers of phytoplankton bloom dynamics in the highly productive northern Humboldt Upwelling System.
Their results indicate that upwelling modifies phytoplankton succession after upwelling by additional factors and not just the physical supply of inorganic nutrients with the deep water. Accordingly, the most influential drivers were the stoichiometry of the inorganic nutrients added and deep water microbial communities, which can cause heterogeneity in phytoplankton bloom succession and control stoichiometry of residual inorganic nutrients during phytoplankton bloom brake down. Thus, deep water community composition are a major control of phytoplankton bloom dynamics in surface waters following upwelling events which have profound implications for ocean biodiversity, productivity and biochemistry which need to be taken into account in ocean models.
By using an experimental approach to study how upwelling deep water modulates chemistry and...
Short summary
We investigated how different deep water chemistry and biology modulate the response of surface phytoplankton communities to upwelling in the Peruvian coastal zone. Our results show that the most influential drivers were the ratio of inorganic nutrients (N : P) and the microbial community present in upwelling source water. These led to unexpected and variable development in the phytoplankton assemblage that could not be predicted by the amount of inorganic nutrients alone.
We investigated how different deep water chemistry and biology modulate the response of surface...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint