Effect of carbonate ion concentration and irradiance on calcification in planktonic foraminifera
The effect of carbonate ion concentration ([CO 3 2− ]) on calcification rates estimated from shell size and weight was investigated in the planktonic foraminifera Orbulina universa and Globigerinoides sacculifer . Experiments on G. sacculifer were conducted under two irradiance levels (35 and 335 μm...
| Published in: | Biogeosciences |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2010
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-7-247-2010 https://doaj.org/article/4caada92fa9546e6a061c6dd8983d52a |
| Summary: | The effect of carbonate ion concentration ([CO 3 2− ]) on calcification rates estimated from shell size and weight was investigated in the planktonic foraminifera Orbulina universa and Globigerinoides sacculifer . Experiments on G. sacculifer were conducted under two irradiance levels (35 and 335 μmol photons m −2 s −1 ). Calcification was ca. 30% lower under low light than under high light, irrespective of the [CO 3 2− ]. Both O. universa and G. sacculifer exhibited reduced final shell weight and calcification rate under low [CO 3 2− ]. For the [CO 3 2− ] expected at the end of the century, the calcification rates of these two species are projected to be 6 to 13% lower than the present conditions, while the final shell weights are reduced by 20 to 27% for O. universa and by 4 to 6% for G. sacculifer . These results indicate that ocean acidification would impact on calcite production by foraminifera and may decrease the calcite flux contribution from these organisms. |
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