High light alongside elevated PCO2 alleviates thermal depression of photosynthesis in a hard coral (Pocillopora acuta)

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Biology
• Main Authors: Mason, Robert A. B., Wall, Christopher B., Cunning, Ross, Dove, Sophie, Gates, Ruth D.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: The Company of Biologists Ltd 2020
• Subjects: RESEARCH ARTICLE; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/223/20/jeb223198; https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.223198

The absorbtion of human-emitted CO 2 by the oceans (elevated P CO 2 ) is projected to alter the physiological performance of coral reef organisms by perturbing seawater chemistry (i.e. ocean acidification). Simultaneously, greenhouse gas emissions are driving ocean warming and changes in irradiance (through turbidity and cloud cover), which have the potential to influence the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs. Here, we explored whether physiological impacts of elevated P CO 2 on a coral–algal symbiosis ( Pocillopora acuta– Symbiodiniaceae) are mediated by light and/or temperature levels. In a 39 day experiment, elevated P CO 2 (962 versus 431 µatm P CO 2 ) had an interactive effect with midday light availability (400 versus 800 µmol photons m−2 s−1) and temperature (25 versus 29°C) on areal gross and net photosynthesis, for which a decline at 29°C was ameliorated under simultaneous high- P CO 2 and high-light conditions. Light-enhanced dark respiration increased under elevated P CO 2 and/or elevated temperature. Symbiont to host cell ratio and chlorophyll a per symbiont increased at elevated temperature, whilst symbiont areal density decreased. The ability of moderately strong light in the presence of elevated P CO 2 to alleviate the temperature-induced decrease in photosynthesis suggests that higher substrate availability facilitates a greater ability for photochemical quenching, partially offsetting the impacts of high temperature on the photosynthetic apparatus. Future environmental changes that result in moderate increases in light levels could therefore assist the P. acuta holobiont to cope with the ‘one–two punch’ of rising temperatures in the presence of an acidifying ocean.