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Abstract

Diatoms, large bloom-forming marine microorganisms, build frustules out of silicate, which ballasts the cells and aids their export to the deep ocean. This unique physiology forges an important link between the marine silicon and carbon cycles. However, the effect of ocean acidification on the silicification of diatoms is unclear. Here we show that diatom silicification strongly diminishes with increased acidity in a natural Antarctic community. Analyses of single cells from within the community reveal that the effect of reduced pH on silicification differs among taxa, with several species having significantly reduced silica incorporation at CO2 levels equivalent to those projected for 2100. These findings suggest that, before the end of this century, ocean acidification may influence the carbon and silicon cycle by both altering the composition of the diatom assemblages and reducing cell ballasting, which will probably alter vertical flux of these elements to the deep ocean.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Petrou, K and Baker, KG and Nielsen, DA and Hancock, AM and Schultz, KG and Davidson, AT
Keywords:	ocean acidification, phytoplankton, diatoms, silica, Antarctica
Journal or Publication Title:	Nature Climate Change
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:	1758-678X
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-019-0557-y
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2019 The Authors, under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited
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