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Source: InCites
Abstract
Marine diatoms are an abundant and ecologically important phytoplankton group susceptible to changing environmental conditions. Currently available data assessing diatom responses focus on empirical comparisons between present-day and future conditions, rather than exploring the mechanisms driving these responses. Here, we conducted high-resolution growth experiments to map the fitness of diatoms across broad carbonate chemistry landscapes. Our results reveal species-specific carbonate chemistry niches, which can be used to predict ecological shifts between species under changing conditions driven by ocean acidification or ocean alkalinity enhancement. The results demonstrate that changes in diatom fitness are almost exclusively driven by carbon dioxide and proton concentrations, with bicarbonate exerting no discernible effect. Thus, current assumptions regarding the role of bicarbonate as a primary carbon source supporting diatom growth may be overestimated. This study presents a methodological and conceptual framework as a foundation for future studies to collate data capable of predicting species-specific responses and shifts in ecological niches driven by changes in marine carbonate chemistry.
Carbonate chemistry fitness landscapes inform diatom resilience to future perturbations
Creators
Aaron Ferderer - University of Tasmania
Kai G Schulz - Southern Cross University
Anusuya Willis - CSIRO (Australia, Hobart)
Kirralee G Baker - University of Tasmania
Zanna Chase - University of Tasmania
Lennart T Bach - University of Tasmania
Publication Details
Science advances, Vol.11(38), pp.1-10
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science; WASHINGTON
Grant note
This research has been supported by the Australian Research Council (grant no. FT200100846) and the Carbon to Sea Initiative, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to evaluating ocean alkalinity enhancement.