Ocean acidification affects iron speciation during a coastal seawater mesocosm experiment

• Main Authors: E. Breitbarth, R. J. Bellerby, C. C. Neill, M. V. Ardelan, M. Meyerhöfer, E. Zöllner, P. L. Croot, U. Riebesell
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2010
• Subjects: Ecology; QH540-549.5; Life; QH501-531; Geology; QE1-996.5; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/7e98f8498d314b5c90f67b485fb6ee67

Rising atmospheric CO 2 is acidifying the surface ocean, a process which is expected to greatly influence the chemistry and biology of the future ocean. Following the development of iron-replete phytoplankton blooms in a coastal mesocosm experiment at 350, 700, and 1050 μatm p CO 2 , we observed significant increases in dissolved iron concentrations, Fe(II) concentrations, and Fe(II) half-life times during and after the peak of blooms in response to CO 2 enrichment and concomitant lowering of pH, suggesting increased iron bioavailability. If applicable to the open ocean this may provide a negative feedback mechanism to the rising atmospheric CO 2 by stimulating marine primary production.