An experimental assessment of algal calcification as a potential source of atmospheric CO2
| Autor: | Kalokora, Olivia J., Buriyo, Amelia S., Asplund, Maria E., Gullström, Martin, Mtolera, Matern S. P., Björk, Mats |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Atmospheric Science
Carbon Sequestration Salinity Environmental Engineering Algae Physiology Science Marine and Aquatic Sciences Plant Science Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Ecosystems Calcification Calcium Carbonate Greenhouse Gases Sea Water Medicine and Health Sciences Environmental Chemistry Seawater Photosynthesis Ecosystem Marine Ecosystems Ecology Plant Biochemistry Ecology and Environmental Sciences Chemical Compounds Organisms Biology and Life Sciences Aquatic Environments Eukaryota Carbon Dioxide Plants Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Marine Environments Carbon Chemistry Chemical Properties Atmospheric Chemistry Physical Sciences Rhodophyta Earth Sciences Medicine Engineering and Technology Physiological Processes Research Article |
| Zdroj: | PLoS ONE PLoS ONE, Vol 15, Iss 4, p e0231971 (2020) |
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| Popis: | Marine vegetated ecosystems such as seagrass meadows are increasingly acknowledged as important carbon sinks based on their ability to capture and store atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. Most studies on carbon storage in marine ecosystems have focused on organic carbon, leaving inorganic carbon processes such as calcification unaccounted for, despite of their critical role in the global carbon budget. This is probably because of uncertainties regarding the role of calcification in marine carbon budgets as either atmospheric CO2 source or sink. Here, we conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the influence of a calcifying alga (Corallina officinalis L.) on seawater carbon content, using a non-calcifying alga (Ulva lactuca L.) as a control. In a first part, algae were incubated separately while measuring changes in seawater pH, total alkalinity (TA) and total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The amount of carbon used in photosynthetic uptake and production of CaCO3 was then calculated. In a second, directly following, part the algae were removed and DIC levels were allowed to equilibrate with air until the pH stabilized and the loss of CO2 to air was calculated as the difference in total DIC from the start of part one, to the end of the second part. The results showed that C. officinalis caused a significant and persistent reduction in total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), TA and seawater pH, while no such permanent changes were caused by U. lactuca. These findings indicate that calcification can release a significant amount of CO2 to the atmosphere and thereby possibly counteract the carbon sequestration in marine vegetated ecosystems if this CO2 is not re-fixed in the system. Our research emphasises the importance of considering algal calcification in future assessments on carbon storage in coastal areas. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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