Elevated pCO 2 changes community structure and function by affecting phytoplankton group-specific mortality
The rise of atmospheric pCO has created a number of problems for marine ecosystem. In this study, we initially quantified the effects of elevated pCO on the group-specific mortality of phytoplankton in a natural community based on the results of mesocosm experiments. Diatoms dominated the phytoplank...
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Published in | Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 175; p. 113362 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
01.02.2022
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The rise of atmospheric pCO
has created a number of problems for marine ecosystem. In this study, we initially quantified the effects of elevated pCO
on the group-specific mortality of phytoplankton in a natural community based on the results of mesocosm experiments. Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community, and the concentration of chlorophyll a was significantly higher in the high-pCO
treatment than the low-pCO
treatment. Phytoplankton mortality (percentage of dead cells) decreased during the exponential growth phase. Although the mortality of dinoflagellates did not differ significantly between the two pCO
treatments, that of diatoms was lower in the high-pCO
treatment. Small diatoms dominated the diatom community. Although the mortality of large diatoms did not differ significantly between the two treatments, that of small diatoms was lower in the high-pCO
treatment. These results suggested that elevated pCO
might enhance dominance by small diatoms and thereby change the community structure of coastal ecosystems. |
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ISSN: | 1879-3363 |