Photosynthetic activity buffers ocean acidification in seagrass meadows
Iris E. Hendriks,Ylva S. Olsen,Ylva S. Olsen,Laura Ramajo,Laura Ramajo,Lorena Basso,Alexandra Steckbauer,Tommy S. Moore,Jason L. Howard,Carlos M. Duarte,Carlos M. Duarte +10 more
TLDR
In this article, the authors observed diel pH changes in shallow (5-12 m) seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows spanning 0.06 pH units in September to 0.24 units in June.Abstract:
. Macrophytes growing in shallow coastal zones characterised by intense metabolic activity have the capacity to modify pH within their canopy and beyond. We observed diel pH changes in shallow (5–12 m) seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows spanning 0.06 pH units in September to 0.24 units in June. The carbonate system (pH, DIC, and aragonite saturation state (ΩAr)) and O2 within the meadows displayed strong diel variability driven by primary productivity, and changes in chemistry were related to structural parameters of the meadow, in particular, the leaf surface area available for photosynthesis (LAI). LAI was positively correlated to mean, max and range pHNBS and max and range ΩAr. In June, vertical mixing (as Turbulent Kinetic Energy) influenced max and min ΩAr, while in September there was no effect of hydrodynamics on the carbonate system within the canopy. Max and range ΩAr within the meadow showed a positive trend with the calcium carbonate load of the leaves, pointing to a possible link between structural parameters, ΩAr and carbonate deposition. Calcifying organisms, e.g. epiphytes with carbonate skeletons, may benefit from the modification of the carbonate system by the meadow. There is, however, concern for the ability of seagrasses to provide modifications of similar importance in the future. The predicted decline of seagrass meadows may alter the scope for alteration of pH within a seagrass meadow and in the water column above the meadow, particularly if shoot density and biomass decline, on which LAI is based. Organisms associated with seagrass communities may therefore suffer from the loss of pH buffering capacity in degraded meadows.read more
Citations
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Coastal ocean acidification: The other eutrophication problem
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential for acidification in eutrophic estuaries was assessed during the onset, peak, and demise of low oxygen conditions in systems across the northeast US including Narragansett Bay (RI), Long Island Sound (CT-NY), Jamaica Bay (NY), and Hempstead Bay ( NY).
Journal ArticleDOI
Ocean solutions to address climate change and its effects on marine ecosystems
Jean-Pierre Gattuso,Jean-Pierre Gattuso,Jean-Pierre Gattuso,Alexandre K. Magnan,Alexandre K. Magnan,Laurent Bopp,Laurent Bopp,William W. L. Cheung,Carlos M. Duarte,Carlos M. Duarte,Jochen Hinkel,Elizabeth Mcleod,Fiorenza Micheli,Andreas Oschlies,Phillip Williamson,Phillip Williamson,Raphaël Billé,Vasiliki I. Chalastani,Vasiliki I. Chalastani,Ruth D. Gates,Jean-Olivier Irisson,Jack J. Middelburg,Hans-Otto Pörtner,Greg H. Rau +23 more
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive and systematic assessment of 13 global and local-scale, ocean-based measures was performed to help steer the development and implementation of technologies and actions towards a sustainable outcome.
Journal ArticleDOI
Mediterranean seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) loss between 1842 and 2009
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the changes in areal extent, cover and shoot density of P. oceanica meadows between years 1842 and 2009 in the Mediterranean basin and found that the remaining meadows of the Mediterranean may have thinned shoot density by 50% for the last 20 years and have became more fragmented.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Future of Coral Reefs Subject to Rapid Climate Change: Lessons from Natural Extreme Environments
Emma F. Camp,Verena Schoepf,Peter J. Mumby,Leonardo Andrés Hardtke,Riccardo Rodolfo-Metalpa,David Smith,David J. Suggett +6 more
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the current state of knowledge on the distribution of corals in marginal and extreme environments, and geographic sites at the latitudinal extremes of reef growth, as well as a variety of shallow reef systems and reef-neighbouring environments (including upwelling and CO2 vent sites).
References
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a targeted global conservation effort that includes a reduction of watershed nutrient and sediment inputs to seagrass habitats and a targeted educational program informing regulators and the public of the value of meadows.