Meta-analysis reveals enhanced growth of marine harmful algae from temperate regions with warming and elevated CO₂ levels.

ABSTRACT: Elevated pCO₂ and warming may promote algal growth and toxin production, and thereby possibly support the proliferation and toxicity of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Here, we tested whether empirical data support this hypothesis using a meta-analytic approach and investigated the responses of growth rate and toxin content or toxicity of numerous marine and estuarine HAB species to elevated pCO₂ and warming. Most of the available data on HAB responses towards the two tested climate change variables concern dinoflagellates, as many members of this phytoplankton group are known to cause HAB outbreaks. Toxin content and toxicity did not reveal a consistent response towards both tested climate change variables, while growth rate increased consistently with elevated pCO

SUBMITTER: Brandenburg KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6851565 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature