Dynamic CO2 and pH levels in coastal, estuarine, and inland waters: Theoretical and observed effects on harmful algal blooms

• Published in: Harmful algae Vol. 91; p. 101594
• Main Authors: Raven, John A., Gobler, Christopher J., Hansen, Per Juel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Acclimation; Adaptation; algal blooms; Algal toxins; Bacillariophyceae; bicarbonates; carbon cycle; carbonates; climate change; coasts; Coccolithophyceae; Cyanobacteria; Dinophyceae; dissolved carbon dioxide; ecosystems; estuaries; Eutrophication; Experimental evolution; Global warming; Harmful algae; inland waters; Inorganic carbon; Ocean acidification; Pelagophyceae; phenotype; physiology; poisonous algae; Raphidophyceae; Ulvophyceae; uncertainty; Harmful algae; Algal toxins; Experimental evolution; Global warming; Inorganic carbon; Ocean acidification; Acclimation; Adaptation; Eutrophication
• ISSN: 1568-9883; 1878-1470; 1878-1470
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2019.03.012

•Global change effects on HABs are often modified by local factors.•Interaction of environental factors complicataes multifactorial experiments.•HABs may become more severe as a result of acclimating to global change.•More studies are needed to determine genetic adaptation of HAB species to global change. Rising concentrations of atmospheric CO2 results in higher equilibrium concentrations of dissolved CO2 in natural waters, with corresponding increases in hydrogen ion and bicarbonate concentrations and decreases in hydroxyl ion and carbonate concentrations. Superimposed on these climate change effects is the dynamic nature of carbon cycling in coastal zones, which can lead to seasonal and diel changes in pH and CO2 concentrations that can exceed changes expected for open ocean ecosystems by the end of the century. Among harmful algae, i.e. some species and/or strains of Cyanobacteria, Dinophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Ulvophyceae, the occurrence of a CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) is the most frequent mechanism of inorganic carbon acquisition in natural waters in equilibrium with the present atmosphere (400 μmol CO2  mol−1 total gas), with varying phenotypic modification of the CCM. No data on CCMs are available for Raphidophyceae or the brown tide Pelagophyceae. Several HAB species and/or strains respond to increased CO2 concentrations with increases in growth rate and/or cellular toxin content, however, others are unaffected. Beyond the effects of altered C concentrations and speciation on HABs, changes in pH in natural waters are likely to have profound effects on algal physiology. This review outlines the implications of changes in inorganic cycling for HABs in coastal zones, and reviews the knowns and unknowns with regard to how HABs can be expected to ocean acidification. We further point to the large regions of uncertainty with regard to this evolving field.