Ocean Acidification Impacts on Sea-Surface Biology, Biogeochemistry and Climate
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Ocean and Earth Science
Abstract
The burning of fossil fuels is releasing vast quantities of extra carbon dioxide to the Earth's atmosphere. Much of this stays in the atmosphere, raising CO2 levels, but much also leaves the atmosphere after a time, either to become sequestered in trees and plants, or else to become absorbed in the oceans. CO2 staying in the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas, causing global warming; CO2 entering the sea makes it more acidic, and the ongoing acidification of seawater is seen in observational records at various sites where time-series data are collected. The changing chemistry of seawater due to ocean acidification is mostly well understood and not subject to debate. What is much less well known is the impact that the changing chemistry will have on marine organisms and ecosystems, on biogeochemical cycling in the sea, and on how the sea interacts with the atmosphere to influence climate. We will look to investigate these questions in terms of how the surface waters of the world's oceans, and the life within, will respond to ocean acidification. Most of what we know about biological impacts, and the source of the current concern about the impact on marine life, comes from experimental studies in which individual organisms (e.g. single corals) or mono-specific populations (e.g. plankton cultures) have been subjected to elevated CO2 (and the associated lower pH) in laboratory experiments. These laboratory experiments have the advantage of being performed under controlled conditions in which everything can be kept constant except for changes to CO2. So if a response is observed, then the cause is clear. However, there are also limitations to laboratory studies. For instance, organisms have no time to adapt evolutionarily, and there is no possibility of shifts in species composition away from more sensitive forms towards more acid-tolerant forms, as might be expected to occur in nature. Another shortcoming is the absence of food-web complexity in most experiments, and therefore the absence of competition, predation, and other interactions that determine the viability of organisms in the natural environment. We seek to advance the study of ocean acidification by collecting more observations of naturally-occurring ecosystems in places where the chemistry of seawater is naturally more acidic, and/or where it naturally holds more carbon,as well as locations which are not so acidic, and/or hold more usual amounts of carbon. By contrasting the two sets of observations, we will gain an improved understanding of how acidification affects organisms living in their natural environment, after assemblage reassortments and evolutionary adaptation have had time to play out. Most of the planned work will be carried out on 3 cruises to places with strong gradients in seawater carbon and pH: to the Arctic Ocean, around the British Isles, and to the Southern Ocean. As well a making observations we will also conduct a large number of experiments, in which we will bring volumes of natural seawater from the ocean surface into containers on the deck of the ship, together with whatever life is contained within, and there subject them to higher CO2 and other stressors. We will monitor the changes that take place to these natural plankton communities (including to biogeochemical and climate-related processes) as the seawater is made more acidic. A major strength of such studies is the inclusion of natural environmental variability and complexity that is difficult or impossible to capture in laboratory experiments. Thus, the responses measured during these experiments on the naturally-occurring community may represent more accurately the future response of the surface ocean to ocean acidification. In order to carry out this experimental/observational work programme we have assembled a strong UK-wide team with an extensive track record of successfully carrying out sea-going scientificresearch projects of this type.
Organisations
- University of Southampton (Lead Research Organisation)
- Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (Project Partner)
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (Project Partner)
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Project Partner)
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Project Partner)
- Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences (Project Partner)
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (Project Partner)
- Dalhousie University (Project Partner)
- University of Liège (Project Partner)
- Centre for Research and Teaching in Environmental Geoscience (Project Partner)
- Kiel University (Project Partner)
Publications
Avendaño L
(2016)
Influence of Ocean Acidification on the Organic Complexation of Iron and Copper in Northwest European Shelf Seas; a Combined Observational and Model Study
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Cavan E
(2017)
Role of zooplankton in determining the efficiency of the biological carbon pump
in Biogeosciences
Clarke JS
(2015)
Characterisation and deployment of an immobilised pH sensor spot towards surface ocean pH measurements.
in Analytica chimica acta
Daniels C
(2016)
Species-specific calcite production reveals Coccolithus pelagicus as the key calcifier in the Arctic Ocean
in Marine Ecology Progress Series
Daniels C
(2018)
A global compilation of coccolithophore calcification rates
in Earth System Science Data
Esposito M
(2019)
Application of Stable Carbon Isotopes in a Subtropical North Atlantic MesocosmStudy: A New Approach to Assess CO2 Effects on the Marine Carbon Cycle
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Fry C
(2015)
Analysis of global surface ocean alkalinity to determine controlling processes
in Marine Chemistry
Hartmann M
(2016)
Resilience of SAR11 bacteria to rapid acidification in the high-latitude open ocean.
in FEMS microbiology ecology
Hernández-Hernández N
(2018)
High CO2 Under Nutrient Fertilization Increases Primary Production and Biomass in Subtropical Phytoplankton Communities: A Mesocosm Approach
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Hopkins F
(2020)
A meta-analysis of microcosm experiments shows that dimethyl sulfide (DMS) production in polar waters is insensitive to ocean acidification
in Biogeosciences
Humphreys M
(2015)
Measurements of the stable carbon isotope composition of dissolved inorganic carbon in the northeastern Atlantic and Nordic Seas during summer 2012
in Earth System Science Data
Monteiro FM
(2016)
Why marine phytoplankton calcify.
in Science advances
Poulton A
(2016)
Production of dissolved organic carbon by Arctic plankton communities: Responses to elevated carbon dioxide and the availability of light and nutrients
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Poulton A
(2014)
Coccolithophores on the north-west European shelf: calcification rates and environmental controls
in Biogeosciences
Ribas-Ribas M
(2014)
Intercomparison of carbonate chemistry measurements on a cruise in northwestern European shelf seas
in Biogeosciences
Ribas-Ribas M
(2017)
Spatial patterns of phytoplankton composition and upper-ocean biogeochemistry do not follow carbonate chemistry gradients in north-west European Shelf seas
in ICES Journal of Marine Science
Richier S
(2018)
Geographical CO 2 sensitivity of phytoplankton correlates with ocean buffer capacity
in Global Change Biology
Rérolle V
(2012)
Seawater-pH measurements for ocean-acidification observations
in TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry
Rérolle VM
(2013)
Development of a colorimetric microfluidic pH sensor for autonomous seawater measurements.
in Analytica chimica acta
Rérolle VMC
(2018)
High Resolution pH Measurements Using a Lab-on-Chip Sensor in Surface Waters of Northwest European Shelf Seas.
in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Sophie Richier (Author)
(2014)
SENSITIVITY OF PHYTOPLANKTON TO RAPID pH REDUCTION IS LINKED TO BUFFER CAPACITY
Steiner Z
(2021)
On calcium-to-alkalinity anomalies in the North Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Tarling G
(2016)
Effects of acute ocean acidification on spatially-diverse polar pelagic foodwebs: Insights from on-deck microcosms
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Taucher J
(2017)
Influence of Ocean Acidification and Deep Water Upwelling on Oligotrophic Plankton Communities in the Subtropical North Atlantic: Insights from an In situ Mesocosm Study
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Toby Tyrrell (Author)
(2012)
The role of ocean acidification on coccolithophore distributions in polar and temperate seas
Toby Tyrrell (Author)
(2012)
The role of ocean acidification on coccolithophore distributions in polar and temperate seas
Tynan E
(2016)
Physical and biogeochemical controls on the variability in surface pH and calcium carbonate saturation states in the Atlantic sectors of the Arctic and Southern Oceans
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Tyrrell T
(2016)
Preface to special issue (Impacts of surface ocean acidification in polar seas and globally: A field-based approach)
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Tyrrell T
(2014)
Preface: Field investigation of ocean acidification effects in northwest European seas
in Biogeosciences
Tyrrell T
(2015)
Severity of ocean acidification following the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Victoire Rerolle (Author)
(2012)
Carbonate chemistry dynamics in surface seawater of north-west European shelf seas
Description | Small phytoplankton in the ocean may be more at risk from ocean acidification than are large phytoplankton. The shells of Pteropods (swimming marine snails) in the sea are affected by ocean acidification, but they have some capacity to repair them. Coccolithophores (a type of phytoplankton at the base of marine food chains) seem less affected by ocean acidification than was previously thought. The production of nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas) in sub-surface waters is inhibited by ocean acidification. |
Exploitation Route | We have identified some areas needing more research and some reasons for curtailing the CO2 emissions that ultimately produce ocean acidification. |
Sectors | Environment Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism |
URL | http://www.surfaceoa.org.uk/ |
Description | radio interviews, policy briefings, submission to parliamentary inquiry, outreach events |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Environment |
Description | Evidence submission to parliamentary inquiry |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | The submission was to the Ocean Acidification Inquiry of the Science and Technology Committee of the House of Commons. The submission can be seen here: http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/science-and-technology-committee/ocean-acidification/written/45690.html The committee has not just produced its report (it is still taking evidence) but the whole process contributes towards a better environment. |
URL | https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-c... |
Title | JR271 DIC/TA bioassay and observational |
Description | carbonate chemistry data collected on the first cruise of the UKOA sea-surface consortium (NW European Seas) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | publications |
Title | JR271, JR274 CTD data |
Description | POC/PON/POP Size fractionated Chlorophyll-a (total, >10 µm) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | publications |
Title | JR274 DIC/TA bioassay |
Description | Carbonate chemistry data collected during the third cruise of the UKOA sea-surface consortium (Southern Ocean) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | publications |
Title | OCEAN ACIDIFICATION IMPACTS ON SEA SURFACE BIOLOGY AND BIOGEOCHEMISTRY IN NORTHWEST EUROPEAN SHELF SEAS: A HIGH-REPLICATED SHIPBOARD APPROACH |
Description | Bioassay data |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | publications |
Description | Annual Ocean and Earth Day 2012 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. Anuual Outreach and public engagement activity. Participation with an information stand, and hands-on activities for children. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Annual Ocean and Earth Day 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. Anuual Outreach and public engagement activity. Participation with an information stand, and hands-on activities for children. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Podcast about the Sea Surface Ocean Acidification UK Project. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Dr Toby Tyrrell, National Oceanography Centre, on Sea Surface Ocean Acidification UK Project - Annual OA Meeting, Exeter 16 - 18 April, 2012. The podcast can be found on the consortium's website http://www.surfaceoa.org.uk/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Podcast on the Consortium's Arctic cruise |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Ray Leakey, Arctic Research Theme Leader at the Scottish Marine Institute and the leader of the Arctic expedition, on the upcoming sea surface OA Arctic cruise |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Press Release - Scientific Cruise in the Arctic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | On 1st June 2012, 30 researchers from eight laboratories participated in a scientific cruise on the Norwegian, Barents and Greenland Seas to study the effect of ocean acidification |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Press Release - Scientific Cruise in the Southern Seas |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | On 7th January 2013 a team of thirty scientists, from eight of the UK's top research laboratories, participated in a sceintific cruise to study the effect of ocean acidification in waters near Antarctica |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Press Release - research cruise of the UKOA programme to study the impacts of ocean acidification. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | The cruise was an opportunity to disseminate information and engage with the public. A Press Release sent out with the purpose to inform the scientific community, policy makers and the public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Radio Interview - Oceans 'under new threat' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof Eric Achterberg and Dr Toby Tyrrell were interviewed by the science correspondent Tom Feilden for the Radio 4 Today Programme feature on ocean acidification |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | The Big Bang @Bournemouth and Poole |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | A STEM event that ams to inspire young people to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Outreach and public engagement activity. Hands-on activities to explain the effects of Ocean Acidification |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Winchester Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Anuual Outreach and public engagement activity. Participation with an information stand, and hands-on activities to explain ocean acidification. General audience |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |