Acidification diminishes diatom silica production in the Southern Ocean

Katherina Petrou (), Kirralee G. Baker, Daniel A. Nielsen, Alyce M. Hancock, Kai G. Schulz and Andrew T. Davidson
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Katherina Petrou: University of Technology Sydney
Kirralee G. Baker: University of Technology Sydney
Daniel A. Nielsen: University of Technology Sydney
Alyce M. Hancock: University of Tasmania
Kai G. Schulz: Southern Cross University
Andrew T. Davidson: Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre

Nature Climate Change, 2019, vol. 9, issue 10, 781-786

Abstract: Abstract Diatoms, large bloom-forming marine microorganisms, build frustules out of silicate, which ballasts the cells and aids their export to the deep ocean. This unique physiology forges an important link between the marine silicon and carbon cycles. However, the effect of ocean acidification on the silicification of diatoms is unclear. Here we show that diatom silicification strongly diminishes with increased acidity in a natural Antarctic community. Analyses of single cells from within the community reveal that the effect of reduced pH on silicification differs among taxa, with several species having significantly reduced silica incorporation at CO2 levels equivalent to those projected for 2100. These findings suggest that, before the end of this century, ocean acidification may influence the carbon and silicon cycle by both altering the composition of the diatom assemblages and reducing cell ballasting, which will probably alter vertical flux of these elements to the deep ocean.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-019-0557-y

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