Is there any relationship between phytoplankton seasonal dynamics and the carbonate system?

Merico A., Tyrrell T., Cokacar T.

JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS, vol.59, pp.120-142, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 59
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2005.11.004
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.120-142
  • Keywords: modelling, phytoplankton seasonal dynamics, Emiliania huxleyi, Bering Sea, carbonate system, SOUTHEASTERN BERING SEA, EMILIANIA-HUXLEYI BLOOMS, DIOXIDE, CO2, VARIABILITY, SUCCESSION, OCEAN, COCCOLITHOPHORE, SEAWATER, PLANKTON
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Production of calcium carbonate by marine calcifying organisms has been shown to decrease under increasing CO2. This effect appears to be driven by a decrease in [CO32-]. The modelling study here described aims at investigating whether the success of a marine calcifying phytoplankton species, the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi, may be tied to [CO32-]. The work highlights the complex interactions between the carbonate system variables and spring blooms, and the possibility of a link to the competition between calcifying vs. non-calcifying species on the Bering Sea shelf. We find that the strong seasonal cycle in [CO32-] is driven primarily by carbon drawdown during spring blooms. The interesting outcome of this work is the fact that E. huxleyi bloom timings always coincide with periods of high [CO32-], which is consistent with studies showing coccoliths malformations and a slowdown in calcification at low [CO32-]. Whether the condition of high [CO32-] can be considered a crucial ecological factor for the success of E. huxleyi, however, remains an open and important question needing further investigation. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.