Effects of UV radiation on aquatic ecosystems and interactions with climate change

Abstract

The health of freshwater and marine ecosystems is critical to life on Earth. The impact of solar UV-B radiation is one potential stress factor that can have a negative impact on the health of certain species within these ecosystems. Although there is a paucity of data and information regarding the effect of UV-B radiation on total ecosystem structure and function, several recent studies have addressed the effects on various species within each trophic level. Climate change, acid deposition, and changes in other anthropogenic stressors such as pollutants alter UV exposure levels in inland and coastal marine waters. These factors potentially have important consequences for a variety of aquatic organisms including waterborne human pathogens. Recent results have demonstrated the negative impacts of exposure to UV-B radiation on primary producers, including effects on cyanobacteria, phytoplankton, macroalgae and aquatic plants. UV-B radiation is an environmental stressor for many aquatic consumers, including zooplankton, crustaceans, amphibians, fish, and corals. Many aquatic producers and consumers rely on avoidance strategies, repair mechanisms and the synthesis of UV-absorbing substances for protection. However, there has been relatively little information generated regarding the impact of solar UV-B radiation on species composition within natural ecosystems or on the interaction of organisms between trophic levels within those ecosystems. There remains the question as to whether a decrease in population size of the more sensitive primary producers would be compensated for by an increase in the population size of more tolerant species, and therefore whether there would be a net negative impact on the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide by these ecosystems. Another question is whether there would be a significant impact on the quantity and quality of nutrients cycling through the food web, including the generation of food proteins for humans. Interactive effects of UV radiation with changes in other stressors, including climate change and pollutants, are likely to be particularly important.

Photosynthetic responses of <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> to UV radiation and elevated temperature: roles of calcified coccoliths

“…Under a scenario of global climate change, important changes in the physiology of diverse aquatic organisms are expected (Beardall et al, 2009;Häder et al, 2011), especially due to variations in UVR and temperature levels. In this sense, it has been found that UVR strongly influences photosynthesis and calcification of Emiliania huxleyi under CO 2 -induced ocean acidification (Gao et al, 2009).…”

Climate interaction mechanism between solar activity and terrestrial biota

“…The studied period is 1983-2008, containing (IR). Finally, we work with ultra violet radiation A data (UVA), which comprises from 320 to 400 nm, because the 95% of wavelengths longer than 310 nm reach the surface (Lean et al, 1997) and has a large impact on marine ecosystems (Toole et al 2006;Hefu et al 1997;Slezak et al 2003;Kniventon et al 2003;Häder et al 2011). We use the UVA composite series from the Nimbus7 (1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985), NOAA-9 (1985NOAA-9 ( -1989, NOAA-11 (1989NOAA-11 ( -1992and SUSIM satellites between 1992and 2008(DeLand et al, 2008.…”

Combined impact of ultraviolet radiation and increased nutrients supply: a test of the potential anthropogenic impacts on the benthic amphipod Amphitoe valida from Patagonian waters (Argentina)

“…In addition, increased amounts of nutrients, originated both from climate change (e.g., atmospheric deposition, wind, precipitation) and from increased land usage (e.g., agricultural and cattle activities) are introduced into estuaries and coastal areas (Findlay, 2005;Monteith et al, 2007). Still, organisms might be exposed to increased levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (280-400 nm) by at least two processes-the depletion of the ozone layer and/or the increased stratification of the water column due to global warming (Beardall et al, 2009;Häder et al, 2011).…”

“…Anthropogenic activities have caused major changes on our planet through a process collectively named as climate change (IPCC, 2013), which is responsible for diverse impacts on aquatic organisms and ecosystems (Hays et al, 2005;Häder et al, 2011;Winder and Sommer, 2012). In coastal systems, these changes in climate affect the performance of individuals at various stages of their life history, influence the dispersal and recruitment at the population level and alter the abundance and the strength of interactions and trophic relationships (e.g., predator-prey) at the community level (Harley et al, 2006).…”