Physiological responses of the calcifying rhodophyte, Corallina officinalis (L.), to future CO2 levels

Abstract

Future atmospheric CO 2 levels will most likely have complex consequences for marine organisms, particulary photosynthetic calcifying organisms. Corallina oYcinalis L. is an erect calcifying macroalga found in the inter-and subtidal regions of temperate rocky coastlines and provides important substrate and refugia for marine meiofauna. The main goal of the current study was to determine the physiological responses of C. oYcinalis to increased CO 2 concentrations expected to occur within the next century and beyond. Our results show that growth and production of inorganic material decreased under high CO 2 levels, while carbonic anhydrase activity was stimulated and negatively correlated to algal inorganic content. Photosynthetic eYciency based on oxygen evolution was also negatively aVected by increased CO 2 . The results of this study indicate that C. oYcinalis may become less competitive under future CO 2 levels, which could result in structural changes in future temperate intertidal communities.

Coral reef calcifiers buffer their response to ocean acidification using both bicarbonate and carbonate

“…] is controversial [30,32]. It is possible however that both calcification and photosynthesis in CCA presently are limited by DIC [11,31], which is consistent with our study where calcification was dependent on both [HCO 3 …”

Competition between calcifying and noncalcifying temperate marine macroalgae under elevated CO2 levels

“…Respiration and oxygen production in Corallina offi ci nalis and Chondrus crispus were measured as outlined in Hofmann et al (2012), with the modification of 3 min light intervals during photosynthesisirradiance (P-E) curve measurements. Respiration was measured in the dark for 15 min prior to the light steps, which consisted of light intensities ranging from 0 to 1000 µmol photons m −2 s −1 .…”

“…Gao et al 1991, 1993, Mercado et al 1999, Gordillo et al 2001, Zou 2005, Corn wall et al 2012, and have found varied responses. However, calcifying macroalgae, particularly high-magnesium calcite-depositing coralline algae, show pronounced sensitivity to elevated CO 2 concentrations with respect to calcification rates, necrosis, mortality, and recruitment , Büdenbender et al 2011, Hofmann et al 2012, Porzio et al 2011). Due to the variable reactions of noncalcifying and calcifying macroalgae to elevated CO 2 , it is likely that macro algal communities will show considerable changes in structure and diversity in future oceans.…”

Skeletal mineralogy of geniculate corallines: providing context for climate change and ocean acidification research

“…Gao et al 1993, 2009, Langdon et al 2000, Langdon & Atkinson 2005, Anthony et al 2008, Kuffner et al 2008, Zheng & Gao 2009, Kleypas & Yates 2009, Dias et al 2010, Dupont et al 2010, Gao & Zheng 2010, Diaz-Pulido et al 2012, Hofmann et al 2012. Within the marine environment, different biogenic polymorphs of CaCO 3 are deposited, each with different solubility in seawater (Ries 2011).…”

“…Erect, turfing species of Corallina and Ellisolandia are near-ubiquitous in temperate intertidal and subtidal environments (Smith et al 2012), providing habitat for numerous small invertebrates, shelter via their physical structure from environmental stresses associated with intertidal habitats, and a substratum for the settlement of macro-and microalgae (Nelson 2009, Smith et al 2012. Given these attributes, geniculate corallines are considered important autogenic ecosystem engineers (Jones et al 1994, Nelson 2009, and as such, potential impacts of climate change-driven increases in SST and/or OA on these species could have serious implications for temperate coastal ecosystems and species therein (Hofmann et al 2012).…”