Toxic algal bloom induced by ocean acidification disrupts the pelagic food web

Ulf Riebesell (), Nicole Aberle-Malzahn, Eric P. Achterberg, María Algueró-Muñiz, Santiago Alvarez-Fernandez, Javier Arístegui, Lennart T. Bach, Maarten Boersma, Tim Boxhammer, Wanchun Guan, Mathias Haunost, Henriette G. Horn, Carolin R. Löscher, Andrea Ludwig, Carsten Spisla, Michael Sswat, Paul Stange and Jan Taucher
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Ulf Riebesell: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Nicole Aberle-Malzahn: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Eric P. Achterberg: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
María Algueró-Muñiz: Biologische Anstalt
Santiago Alvarez-Fernandez: Biologische Anstalt
Javier Arístegui: Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Lennart T. Bach: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Maarten Boersma: Biologische Anstalt
Tim Boxhammer: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Wanchun Guan: Wenzhou Medical University
Mathias Haunost: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Henriette G. Horn: Biologische Anstalt
Carolin R. Löscher: University of Southern Denmark
Andrea Ludwig: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Carsten Spisla: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Michael Sswat: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Paul Stange: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Jan Taucher: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

Nature Climate Change, 2018, vol. 8, issue 12, 1082-1086

Abstract: Abstract Ocean acidification, the change in seawater carbonate chemistry due to the uptake of anthropogenic CO2, affects the physiology of marine organisms in multiple ways1. Diverse competitive and trophic interactions transform the metabolic responses to changes in community composition, seasonal succession and potentially geographical distribution of species. The health of ocean ecosystems depends on whether basic biotic functions are maintained, ecosystem engineers and keystone species are retained, and the spread of nuisance species is avoided2. Here, we show in a field experiment that the toxic microalga Vicicitus globosus has a selective advantage under ocean acidification, increasing its abundance in natural plankton communities at CO2 levels higher than 600 µatm and developing blooms above 800 µatm CO2. The mass development of V. globosus has had a dramatic impact on the plankton community, preventing the development of the micro- and mesozooplankton communities, thereby disrupting trophic transfer of primary produced organic matter. This has prolonged the residence of particulate matter in the water column and caused a strong decline in export flux. Considering its wide geographical distribution and confirmed role in fish kills3, the proliferation of V. globosus under the IPCC4 CO2 emission representative concentration pathway (RCP4.5 to RCP8.5) scenarios may pose an emergent threat to coastal communities, aquaculture and fisheries.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0344-1

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