Journal article
Acidification diminishes diatom silica production in the Southern Ocean
Nature Climate Change, Vol.9(October 2019), pp.781-786
26/08/2019
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Diatoms, large bloom-forming marine microorganisms, build frustules out of silicate, which ballasts the cells and aids their export to the deep ocean. This unique physiology forges an important link between the marine silicon and carbon cycles. However, the effect of ocean acidification on the silicification of diatoms is unclear. Here we show that diatom silicification strongly diminishes with increased acidity in a natural Antarctic community. Analyses of single cells from within the community reveal that the effect of reduced pH on silicification differs among taxa, with several species having significantly reduced silica incorporation at CO2 levels equivalent to those projected for 2100. These findings suggest that, before the end of this century, ocean acidification may influence the carbon and silicon cycle by both altering the composition of the diatom assemblages and reducing cell ballasting, which will probably alter vertical flux of these elements to the deep ocean.
Details
- Title
- Acidification diminishes diatom silica production in the Southern Ocean
- Creators
- Katherina Petrou - University of Technology SydneyKirralee G Baker - University of Technology SydneyDaniel A Nielsen - University of Technology SydneyAlyce M Hancock - University of TasmaniaKai G Schulz - Southern Cross UniversityAndrew T Davidson - Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre
- Publication Details
- Nature Climate Change, Vol.9(October 2019), pp.781-786
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Identifiers
- 991012926971502368
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2019, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article