Calcium carbonate alters the functional response of coastal sediments to eutrophication-induced acidification.

ABSTRACT: Coastal ocean acidification research is dominated by laboratory-based studies that cannot necessarily predict real-world ecosystem response given its complexity. We enriched coastal sediments with increasing quantities of organic matter in the field to identify the effects of eutrophication-induced acidification on benthic structure and function, and assess whether biogenic calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) would alter the response. Along the eutrophication gradient we observed declines in macrofauna biodiversity and impaired benthic net primary productivity and sediment nutrient cycling. CaCO₃ addition did not alter the macrofauna community response, but significantly dampened negative effects on function (e.g. net autotrophy occurred at higher levels of organic matter enric

SUBMITTER: Drylie TP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6700140 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature