In situ response of Antarctic under-ice primary producers to experimentally altered pH.

ABSTRACT: Elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are contributing to ocean acidification (reduced seawater pH and carbonate concentrations), with potentially major ramifications for marine ecosystems and their functioning. Using a novel in situ experiment we examined impacts of reduced seawater pH on Antarctic sea ice-associated microalgal communities, key primary producers and contributors to food webs. pH levels projected for the following decades-to-end of century (7.86, 7.75, 7.61), and ambient levels (7.99), were maintained for 15 d in under-ice incubation chambers. Light, temperature and dissolved oxygen within the chambers were logged to track diurnal variation, with pH, O₂, salinity and nutrients assessed daily. Uptake of CO₂ occurred in all treatments, with

SUBMITTER: Cummings VJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6465331 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature