Biological responses to CO2-related changes in seawater carbonate chemistry during a bloom of Emiliania huxleyi

Updated 2002-08-29

Large-scale changes in surface ocean chemical equilibira and elemental cycling have occurred in the fremework of "global change" and are expected to continue and intensify in the future. The progressive increase in atmospheric CO2 affects the marinebiospehere in varous ways: indeirectly, for instance, through rising mean global temperatures causing incereased surface ocean stratification and hence mixed layer insulation, and directly through changes in seawater carbonate chemistry. In lab experimetns we recently observed that CO2-related changes in seawater carbonate chemistry strongly affect calcification of marine coccolithophorids. A rise in atmospheric CO2 may slow down biogenic calcification in the surface ocean with likeley effects on the vertical transport of calcium carbonate to the deep sea. The lab findings will be tested with natural phytoplankton in semi-controlled conditions in a series of floating mesocosms.

Time frame

Status
Completed
Project time span
2001 - 2001
Data collection
2001 - 2001
Data processing
not specified
Data reporting
not specified

Contact information

Contact person
Ulf Riebesell
Address
Alfred-Wegener-Institut fur Polar und Meeresforschung Am Handelshafen 12 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
Email
ed.nevahremerb-iwa@llesebeiru

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled
Biological effects
Climate change effects
Media sampled/studied/modelled
Algae (algae, phytoplankton)
Seawater/suspended particulate matter

Geography

Regions studied
Climate change effects

Data availability

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?
No

Methods & Procedures

Not specified

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?
Yes
Other institutes involved in the project

University of Bergen, Norway University of Liege, Belgium Observatoire Océanologique, Villefranche-sur-mer, France

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