In:
Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Vol. 320, No. 5874 ( 2008-04-18), p. 336-340
Abstract:
Ocean acidification in response to rising atmospheric CO 2 partial pressures is widely expected to reduce calcification by marine organisms. From the mid-Mesozoic, coccolithophores have been major calcium carbonate producers in the world's oceans, today accounting for about a third of the total marine CaCO 3 production. Here, we present laboratory evidence that calcification and net primary production in the coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi are significantly increased by high CO 2 partial pressures. Field evidence from the deep ocean is consistent with these laboratory conclusions, indicating that over the past 220 years there has been a 40% increase in average coccolith mass. Our findings show that coccolithophores are already responding and will probably continue to respond to rising atmospheric CO 2 partial pressures, which has important implications for biogeochemical modeling of future oceans and climate.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0036-8075
,
1095-9203
DOI:
10.1126/science.1154122
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publication Date:
2008
detail.hit.zdb_id:
128410-1
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2066996-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2060783-0
SSG:
11
Permalink