Enhanced silica export in a future ocean triggers global diatom decline.

Taucher, Jan , Bach, Lennart T. , Prowe, A. E. Friederike , Boxhammer, Tim , Kvale, Karin F. and Riebesell, Ulf (2022) Enhanced silica export in a future ocean triggers global diatom decline. Open Access Nature, 605 (7911). pp. 696-700. DOI 10.1038/s41586-022-04687-0.

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Abstract

Diatoms account for up to 40% of marine primary production(1,2) and require silicic acid to grow and build their opal shell(3). On the physiological and ecological level, diatoms are thought to be resistant to, or even benefit from, ocean acidification(4-6). Yet, global-scale responses and implications for biogeochemical cycles in the future ocean remain largely unknown. Here we conducted five in situ mesocosm experiments with natural plankton communities in different biomes and find that ocean acidification increases the elemental ratio of silicon (Si) to nitrogen (N) of sinking biogenic matter by 17 +/- 6 per cent under p(CO2) conditions projected for the year 2100. This shift in Si:N seems to be caused by slower chemical dissolution of silica at decreasing seawater pH. We test this finding with global sediment trap data, which confirm a widespread influence of pH on Si:N in the oceanic water column. Earth system model simulations show that a future pH-driven decrease in silica dissolution of sinking material reduces the availability of silicic acid in the surface ocean, triggering a global decline of diatoms by 13-26 per cent due to ocean acidification by the year 2200. This outcome contrasts sharply with the conclusions of previous experimental studies, thereby illustrating how our current understanding of biological impacts of ocean change can be considerably altered at the global scale through unexpected feedback mechanisms in the Earth system.

Document Type: Article
Funder compliance: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/211384 ; info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/228224 ; BMBF: FKZ 03F0728; BMBF: FKZ 03F0662; BMBF: FKZ 03F06550; BMBF: FKZ 03F0662
Keywords: Carbon cycle; carbon fluxes; export flux; nitrogen cycle; Ocean acidification; opal; silica cycle; stoichiometry
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-BM Biogeochemical Modeling
OceanRep > GEOMAR > ZE Central Facilities > ZE-RZ Data Centre
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-BI Biological Oceanography
Main POF Topic: PT6: Marine Life
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Nature Research
Related URLs:
Projects: BIOACID, SOPRAN, EPOCA, MESOAQUA
Expeditions/Models/Experiments:
Date Deposited: 16 Jun 2022 08:05
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2024 15:31
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/56349

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