Articles | Volume 21, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2859-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2859-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Assessing the impact of CO2-equilibrated ocean alkalinity enhancement on microbial metabolic rates in an oligotrophic system
Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Telde, Spain
Javier Arístegui
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Telde, Spain
Nauzet Hernández-Hernández
Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Telde, Spain
Joaquín Ortiz
Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Telde, Spain
Stephen D. Archer
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., P.O. Box 380, East Boothbay, Maine 04544, USA
Andrea Ludwig
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, 24148 Kiel, Germany
Ulf Riebesell
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, 24148 Kiel, Germany
Related authors
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Allanah Joy Paul, Lennart Thomas Bach, Javier Arístegui, Elisabeth von der Esch, Nauzet Hernández-Hernández, Jonna Piiparinen, Laura Ramajo, Kristian Spilling, and Ulf Riebesell
Biogeosciences, 19, 5911–5926, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5911-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5911-2022, 2022
Short summary
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.
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
Bach, L. T., Gill, S. J., Rickaby, R. E. M., Gore, S., and Renforth, P.: CO2 Removal With Enhanced Weathering and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement: Potential Risks and Co-benefits for Marine Pelagic Ecosystems, Front. Clim., 1, 7, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2019.00007, 2019.
Badger, M. R., Andrews, T. J., Whitney, S. M., Ludwig, M., Yellowlees, D. C., Leggat, W., and Price, G. D.: The diversity and coevolution of Rubisco, plastids, pyrenoids, and chloroplast-based CO2-concentrating mechanisms in algae, Can. J. Bot., 76, 1052–1071, https://doi.org/10.1139/b98-074, 1998.
Beman, J. M., Chow, C. E., King, A. L., Feng, Y., Fuhrman, J. A., Andersson, A., Bates, N. R., Popp, B. N., and Hutchins, D. A.: Global declines in oceanic nitrification rates as a consequence of ocean acidification, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 108, 208–213, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1011053108, 2011.
Bryan, J. R., Rlley, J. P., and Williams, P. J. L.: A winkler procedure for making precise measurements of oxygen concentration for productivity and related studies, J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 21, 191–197, https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(76)90114-3, 1976.
Burns, W. and Corbett, C. R.: Antacids for the Sea? Artificial Ocean Alkalinization and Climate Change, One Earth, 3, 154–156, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.07.016, 2020.
Butenschön, M., Lovato, T., Masina, S., Caserini, S., and Grosso, M.: Alkalinization Scenarios in the Mediterranean Sea for Efficient Removal of Atmospheric CO2 and the Mitigation of Ocean Acidification, Front. Clim., 3, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2021.614537, 2021.
Canadell, J. G., Monteiro, P. M. S., Costa, M. H., Cotrim da Cunha, L., Cox, P. M., Eliseev, A. V., Henson, S., Ishii, M., Jaccard, S., Koven, C., Lohila, A., Patra, P. K., Piao, S., Rogelj, J., Syampungani, S., Zaehle, S., and Zickfeld, K.: Global Carbon and other Biogeochemical Cycles and Feedbacks. In Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, edited by: Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Pirani, A., Connors, S. L., Péan, C., Berger, S., Caud, N., Chen, Y., Goldfarb, L., Gomis, M. I., Huang, M., Leitzell, K., Lonnoy, E., Matthews, J. B. R., Maycock, T. K., Waterfield, T., Yelekçi, O., Yu, R., and Zhou, B., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 673–816, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157896.007, 2021.
Carpenter, J. and Carritt, D.: Modifications Employed of the Winkler Method for Determining Dissolved Oxygen in Seawater, A NASCO Report, 1966.
Caserini, S., Pagano, D., Campo, F., Abbà, A., De Marco, S., Righi, D., Renforth, P., and Grosso, M.: Potential of Maritime Transport for Ocean Liming and Atmospheric CO2 Removal, Front. Clim., 3, 1–18, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2021.575900, 2021.
Cermeño, P., Fernández, A., and Marañón, E.: Determinación de la producción primaria fraccionada por tamaños, in: Expedición de circunnavegación Malaspina 2010: cambio global y exploración de la biodiversidad del océano/Enrique Moreno Ostos (aut.), Carlos M. Duarte (aut.), 437–442, ISBN 978-84-00-09419-5, 2012.
Chen, C. Y., Durbin, E. G., Marine, S., Progress, E., and June, N.: Effects of pH on the growth and carbon uptake of marine phytoplankton, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 109, 83–94, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps109083, 1994.
Chen, S.-M., Riebesell, U., Schulz, K. G., von der Esch, E., Achterberg, E. P., and Bach, L. T.: Temporal dynamics of surface ocean carbonate chemistry in response to natural and simulated upwelling events during the 2017 coastal El Niño near Callao, Peru, Biogeosciences, 19, 295–312, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-295-2022, 2022.
Chi, Z., Elloy, F., Xie, Y., Hu, Y., and Chen, S.: Selection of microalgae and cyanobacteria strains for bicarbonate-based integrated carbon capture and algae production system, Appl. Biochem. Biotech., 172, 447–457, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-013-0515-5, 2014.
Chróst, R. J.: Plankton photosynthesis, extracellular release and bacterial utilization of released dissolved organic carbon (RDOC) in lakes of different trophy, Acta Microbiol. Pol., 32, 275–287, 1983.
Dubelaar, G. B. J. and Gerritzen, P. L.: CytoBuoy: A step forward towards using flow cytometry in operational oceanography, Sci. Mar., 64, 255–265, https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2000.64n2255, 2000.
Eisaman, M. D., Geilert, S., Renforth, P., Bastianini, L., Campbell, J., Dale, A. W., Foteinis, S., Grasse, P., Hawrot, O., Löscher, C. R., Rau, G. H., and Rønning, J.: Assessing the technical aspects of ocean-alkalinity-enhancement approaches, in: Guide to Best Practices in Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research, edited by: Oschlies, A., Stevenson, A., Bach, L. T., Fennel, K., Rickaby, R. E. M., Satterfield, T., Webb, R., and Gattuso, J.-P., Copernicus Publications, State Planet, 2-oae2023, 3, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-3-2023, 2023.
Enmar, R., Stein, M., Bar-Matthews, M., Sass, E., Katz, A., and Lazar, B.: Diagenesis in live corals from the Gulf of Aqaba. I. The effect on paleo-oceanography tracers, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 64, 3123–3132, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00417-8, 2000.
Feely, R. A., Sabine, C. L., Lee, K., Berelson, W., Kleypas, J., Fabry, V. J., and Millero, F. J.: Impact of Anthropogenic CO2 on the CaCO3 System in the Oceans, J. Agron. Educ., 14, 3–7, https://doi.org/10.2134/jae1985.0003, 1985.
Feng, E. Y., Koeve, W., Keller, D. P., and Oschlies, A.: Model-Based Assessment of the CO2 Sequestration Potential of Coastal Ocean Alkalinization, Earths Future, 5, 1252–1266, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017EF000659, 2017.
Ferderer, A., Chase, Z., Kennedy, F., Schulz, K. G., and Bach, L. T.: Assessing the influence of ocean alkalinity enhancement on a coastal phytoplankton community, Biogeosciences, 19, 5375–5399, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5375-2022, 2022.
Fumasoli, A., Bürgmann, H., Weissbrodt, D. G., Wells, G. F., Beck, K., Mohn, J., Morgenroth, E., and Udert, K. M.: Growth of Nitrosococcus-Related Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria Coincides with Extremely Low pH Values in Wastewater with High Ammonia Content, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 6857–6866, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b00392, 2017.
Gafar, N. A. and Schulz, K. G.: A three-dimensional niche comparison of Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica: reconciling observations with projections, Biogeosciences, 15, 3541–3560, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3541-2018, 2018.
Gately, J. A., Kim, S. M., Jin, B., Brzezinski, M. A., and Iglesias-rodriguez, M. D.: Coccolithophores and diatoms resilient to ocean alkalinity enhancement: A glimpse of hope?, Science, 9, 6066, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg6066, 2023.
Gattuso, J. P., Magnan, A. K., Bopp, L., Cheung, W. W. L., Duarte, C. M., Hinkel, J., Mcleod, E., Micheli, F., Oschlies, A., Williamson, P., Billé, R., Chalastani, V. I., Gates, R. D., Irisson, J. O., Middelburg, J. J., Pörtner, H. O., and Rau, G. H.: Ocean solutions to address climate change and its effects on marine ecosystems, Front. Mar. Sci., 5, 337, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00337, 2018.
Gattuso, J. P., Williamson, P., Duarte, C. M., and Magnan, A. K.: The Potential for Ocean-Based Climate Action: Negative Emissions Technologies and Beyond, Front. Clim., 2, 1–8, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2020.575716, 2021.
Giordano, M., Beardall, J., and Raven, J. A.: CO2 concentrating mechanisms in algae: Mechanisms, environmental modulation, and evolution, Annu. Rev. Plant Biol., 56, 99–131, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.arplant.56.032604.144052, 2005.
Goldenberg, S. U., Taucher, J., Fernández-Méndez, M., Ludwig, A., Arístegui, J., Baumann, M., Ortiz, J., Stuhr, A., and Riebesell, U.: Nutrient composition (Si:N) as driver of plankton communities during artificial upwelling, Front. Mar. Sci., 9, 1–15, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1015188, 2022.
González, M. F. and Ilyina, T.: Impacts of artificial ocean alkalinization on the carbon cycle and climate in Earth system simulations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 43, 6493–6502, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL068576, 2016.
Grasshof, K., Kremling, K., and Ehrhard, M. (Eds.): Arsenic, antimony, and germanium, in: Methods of Seawater Analysis, edited, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 274–294, https://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-0014-9602-3 (last access: 11 June 2024), 1999.
Hagino, K., Tomioka, N., Young, J. R., Takano, Y., Onuma, R., and Horiguchi, T.: Extracellular calcification of Braarudosphaera bigelowii deduced from electron microscopic observations of cell surface structure and elemental composition of pentaliths, Mar. Micropaleontol., 125, 85–94, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marmicro.2016.04.002, 2016.
Hartmann, J., Suitner, N., Lim, C., Schneider, J., Marín-Samper, L., Arístegui, J., Renforth, P., Taucher, J., and Riebesell, U.: Stability of alkalinity in ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) approaches – consequences for durability of CO2 storage, Biogeosciences, 20, 781–802, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-781-2023, 2023.
Harvey, L. D. D.: Mitigating the atmospheric CO2 increase and ocean acidification by adding limestone powder to upwelling regions, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 113, 1–21, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JC004373, 2008.
Haszeldine, R. S., Flude, S., Johnson, G., and Scott, V.: Negative emissions technologies and carbon capture and storage to achieve the Paris Agreement commitments, Philos. T. R. Soc. A, 376, 20160447, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2016.0447, 2018.
Hendriks, I. E. and Duarte, C. M.: Ocean acidification: Separating evidence from judgment – A reply to Dupont et al., Estuar. Coast. Shelf S., 89, 186–190, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2010.06.007, 2010.
Ilyina, T., Wolf-Gladrow, D., Munhoven, G., and Heinze, C.: Assessing the potential of calcium-based artificial ocean alkalinization to mitigate rising atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidification, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, 5909–5914, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL057981, 2013.
Kaas, H., Larsen, J., Mohlenberg, F., and Richardson, K.: The Chrysochromulina polylepis bloom in the Kattegat (Scandinavia) May–June 1988. Distribution, primary production and nutrient dynamics in the late stage of the bloom, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 79, 151–161, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps079151, 1991.
Kheshgi, H. S.: Sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide by increasing ocean alkalinity, Energy, 20, 915–922, https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-5442(95)00035-F, 1995.
Köhler, P., Abrams, J. F., Völker, C., Hauck, J., and Wolf-Gladrow, D. A.: Geoengineering impact of open ocean dissolution of olivine on atmospheric CO2, surface ocean pH and marine biology, Environ. Res. Lett., 8, 014009, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/1/014009, 2013.
Kroeker, K. J., Kordas, R. L., Crim, R. N., and Singh, G. G.: Meta-analysis reveals negative yet variable effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms, Ecol. Lett., 13, 1419–1434, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01518.x, 2010.
Kroeker, K. J., Kordas, R. L., Crim, R., Hendriks, I. E., Ramajo, L., Singh, G. S., Duarte, C. M., and Gattuso, J. P.: Impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms: Quantifying sensitivities and interaction with warming, Glob. Change Biol., 19, 1884–1896, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12179, 2013.
Lenton, A., Matear, R. J., Keller, D. P., Scott, V., and Vaughan, N. E.: Assessing carbon dioxide removal through global and regional ocean alkalinization under high and low emission pathways, Earth Syst. Dynam., 9, 339–357, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-9-339-2018, 2018.
Lewis, E. and Wallace, D.: Program Developed for CO2 System Calculations ORNL/CDIAC-105, Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, https://salish-sea.pnnl.gov/media/ORNL-CDIAC-105.pdf (last access: 11 June 2024), 1998.
Lueker, T. J., Dickson, A. G., and Keeling, C. D.: Ocean pCO2 calculated from dissolved inorganic carbon, alkalinity, and equations for K1 and K2: Validation based on laboratory measurements of CO2 in gas and seawater at equilibrium, Mar. Chem., 70, 105–119, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4203(00)00022-0, 2000.
Marín-Samper, L., Arístegui, J., Hernández-Hernández, N., Ortiz Cortes, J., Archer, S., Ludwig, A., and Riebesell, U.: KOSMOS 2021 Gran Canaria mesocosm study on ocean alkalinity enhancement: phytoplankton metabolic rates, PANGAEA [data set], https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.964537, 2024.
Meysman, F. J. R. and Montserrat, F.: Negative CO2 emissions via enhanced silicate weathering in coastal environments, Biol. Lett., 13, 20160905, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0905, 2017.
Montserrat, F., Renforth, P., Hartmann, J., Leermakers, M., Knops, P., and Meysman, F. J. R.: Olivine Dissolution in Seawater: Implications for CO2 Sequestration through Enhanced Weathering in Coastal Environments, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 3960–3972, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b05942, 2017.
Moras, C. A., Bach, L. T., Cyronak, T., Joannes-Boyau, R., and Schulz, K. G.: Ocean alkalinity enhancement – avoiding runaway CaCO3 precipitation during quick and hydrated lime dissolution, Biogeosciences, 19, 3537–3557, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3537-2022, 2022.
Morse, J. W. and He, S.: Influences of T, S and on the pseudo-homogeneous precipitation of CaCO3 from seawater: implications for whiting formation, Mar. Chem., 41, 291–297, 1993.
Nassif, N., Pinna, N., Gehrke, N., Antonietti, M., Jäger, C., and Cölfen, H.: Amorphous layer around aragonite platelets in nacre, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 102, 12653–12655, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0502577102, 2005.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, https://doi.org/10.17226/25259, 2018.
Orr, J. C., Fabry, V. J., Aumont, O., Bopp, L., Doney, S. C., Feely, R. A., Gnanadesikan, A., Gruber, N., Ishida, A., Joos, F., Key, R. M., Lindsay, K., Maier-Reimer, E., Matear, R., Monfray, P., Mouchet, A., Najjar, R. G., Plattner, G. K., Rodgers, K. B., Sabine, C. L., Sarmiento, J. L., Schlitzer, R., Slater, R. D., Totterdell, I. J., Weirig, M. F., Yamanaka, Y., and Yool, A.: Anthropogenic ocean acidification over the twenty-first century and its impact on calcifying organisms, Nature, 437, 681–686, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04095, 2005.
Paul, A. J. and Bach, L. T.: Universal response pattern of phytoplankton growth rates to increasing CO2, New Phytol., 228, 1710–1716, https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16806, 2020.
Paul, A. J., Haunost, M., Goldenberg, S. U., Hartmann, J., Sánchez, N., Schneider, J., Suitner, N., and Riebesell, U.: Ocean alkalinity enhancement in an open ocean ecosystem: Biogeochemical responses and carbon storage durability, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-417, 2024.
Pommerening-Röser, A. and Koops, H. P.: Environmental pH as an important factor for the distribution of urease positive ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, Microbiol. Res., 160, 27–35, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2004.09.006, 2005.
Price, G. D., Badger, M. R., Woodger, F. J., and Long, B. M.: Advances in understanding the cyanobacterial CO2-concentrating- mechanism (CCM): Functional components, Ci transporters, diversity, genetic regulation and prospects for engineering into plants, J. Exp. Bot., 59, 1441–1461, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erm112, 2008.
Rau, G. H., McLeod, E. L., and Hoegh-Guldberg, O.: The need for new ocean conservation strategies in a high-carbon dioxide world, Nat. Clim. Change, 2, 720–724, https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1555, 2012.
Renforth, P. and Henderson, G.: Assessing ocean alkalinity for carbon sequestration, Rev. Geophys., 55, 636–674, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016RG000533, 2017.
Renforth, P., Jenkins, B. G., and Kruger, T.: Engineering challenges of ocean liming, Energy, 60, 442–452, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.08.006, 2013.
Riebesell, U., Wolf-Gladrow, D. A., and Smetacek, V.: Carbon dioxide limitation of marine phytoplankton growth rates, Nature, 361, 249–251, https://doi.org/10.1038/361249a0, 1993.
Subhas, A. V., Marx, L., Reynolds, S., Flohr, A., Mawji, E. W., Brown, P. J., and Cael, B. B.: Microbial ecosystem responses to alkalinity enhancement in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, Front. Clim., 4, 784997, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2022.784997, 2022.
Suzuki, S., Kawachi, M., Tsukakoshi, C., Nakamura, A., Hagino, K., Inouye, I., and Ishida, K. I.: Unstable Relationship Between Braarudosphaera bigelowii (= Chrysochromulina parkeae) and Its Nitrogen-Fixing Endosymbiont, Front. Plant Sci., 12, 749895, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.749895, 2021.
Taucher, J., Bach, L. T., Boxhammer, T., Nauendorf, A., Achterberg, E. P., Algueró-Muñiz, M., Arístegui, J., Czerny, J., Esposito, M., Guan, W., Haunost, M., Horn, H. G., Ludwig, A., Meyer, J., Spisla, C., Sswat, M., Stange, P., Riebesell, U., Aberle-Malzahn, N., Archer, S., Boersma, M., Broda, N., Büdenbender, J., Clemmesen, C., Deckelnick, M., Dittmar, T., Dolores-Gelado, M., Dörner, I., Fernández-Urruzola, I., Fiedler, M., Fischer, M., Fritsche, P., Gomez, M., Grossart, H. P., Hattich, G., Hernández-Brito, J., Hernández-Hernández, N., Hernández-León, S., Hornick, T., Kolzenburg, R., Krebs, L., Kreuzburg, M., Lange, J. A. F., Lischka, S., Linsenbarth, S., Löscher, C., Martínez, I., Montoto, T., Nachtigall, K., Osma-Prado, N., Packard, T., Pansch, C., Posman, K., Ramírez-Bordón, B., Romero-Kutzner, V., Rummel, C., Salta, M., Martínez-Sánchez, I., Schröder, H., Sett, S., Singh, A., Suffrian, K., Tames-Espinosa, M., Voss, M., Walter, E., Wannicke, N., Xu, J., and Zark, M.: Influence of ocean acidification and deep water upwelling on oligotrophic plankton communities in the subtropical North Atlantic: Insights from an in situ mesocosm study, Front. Mar. Sci., 4, 85, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00085, 2017.
Teira, E., Pazó, M. J., Serret, P., and Fernández, E.: Dissolved organic carbon production by microbial populations in the Atlantic Ocean, Limnol. Oceanogr., 46, 1370–1377, https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2001.46.6.1370, 2001.
Uppström, L. R.: The boron/chlorinity ratio of deep-sea water from the Pacific Ocean, Deep Sea Res. Oceanogr. Abstr., 21, 161–162, https://doi.org/10.1016/0011-7471(74)90074-6, 1974.
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.
Wickham, H., Chang, W., and Wickham, M. H.: Package `ggplot2,' Creat. elegant data Vis. using Gramm. Graph. Version, 2, Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN), 1–189, https://ggplot2.tidyverse.org (last access: 11 June 2024), 2016.
Wittmann, A. C. and Pörtner, H. O.: Sensitivities of extant animal taxa to ocean acidification, Nat. Clim. Change, 3, 995–1001, https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1982, 2013.
Wurgaft, E., Wang, Z. A., Churchill, J. H., Dellapenna, T., Song, S., Du, J., Ringham, M. C., Rivlin, T., and Lazar, B.: Particle Triggered Reactions as an Important Mechanism of Alkalinity and Inorganic Carbon Removal in River Plumes, Geophys. Res. Lett., 48, 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093178, 2021.
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.
Our planet is facing a climate crisis. Scientists are working on innovative solutions that will...
Special issue
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint