Tolerance of allogromiid Foraminifera to severely elevated carbon dioxide concentrations: Implications to future ecosystem functioning and paleoceanographic interpretations

Increases in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in the atmosphere will significantly affect a wide variety of terrestrial fauna and flora. Because of tight atmospheric–oceanic coupling, shallow-water marine species are also expected to be affected by increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. One proposed way to slow increases in atmospheric pCO2 is to sequester CO2 in the deep sea. Thus, over the next few centuries marine species will be exposed to changing seawater chemistry caused by ocean–atmospheric exchange and/or deep-ocean sequestration. This initial case study on one allogromiid foraminiferal species (Allogromia laticollaris) was conducted to begin to ascertain the effect of elevated pCO2 on benthic Foraminifera, which are a major meiofaunal constituent of shallow- and deep-water marine communities. Cultures of this thecate foraminiferan protist were used for 10–14-day experiments. Experimental treatments were executed in an incubator that controlled CO2 (15 000; 30 000; 60 000; 90 000; 200 000 ppm), temperature and humidity; atmospheric controls (i.e., ~ 375 ppm CO2) were executed simultaneously. Although the experimental elevated pCO2 values are far above foreseeable surface water pCO2, they were selected to represent the spectrum of conditions expected for the benthos if deep-sea CO2 sequestration becomes a reality. Survival was assessed in two independent ways: pseudopodial presence/absence and measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is an indicator of cellular energy. Substantial proportions of A. laticollaris populations survived 200 000 ppm CO2 although the mean of the median [ATP] of survivors was statistically lower for this treatment than for that of atmospheric control specimens. After individuals that had been incubated in 200 000 ppm CO2 for 12 days were transferred to atmospheric conditions for ~ 24 h, the [ATP] of live specimens (survivors) approximated those of the comparable atmospheric control treatment. Incubation in 200 000 ppm CO2 also resulted in reproduction by some individuals. Results suggest that certain Foraminifera are able to tolerate deep-sea CO2 sequestration and perhaps thrive as a result of elevated pCO2 that is predicted for the next few centuries, in a high-pCO2 world. Thus, allogromiid foraminiferal “blooms” may result from climate change. Furthermore, because allogromiids consume a variety of prey, it is likely that they will be major players in ecosystem dynamics of future coastal sedimentary environments.

Several PhD-student positions , 1 Post-Doc, 1 Technical assistant (aquaculture), within the forthcoming BMBF joint project “Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification (BIOACID)“

Within the forthcoming BMBF joint project “Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification (BIOACID)“, starting by September 15th, 2009 – funding provided, the Departments of Bio-, Geo- and Climate sciences seek applications for several PhD-student positions (TVöD-Bund 13/2), 1 Post-Doc (TV-L 13), 1 Technical assistant (aquaculture), TVöD-VKA.

The world oceans take up one third of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2), causing pH and the carbonate saturation to decline. A reliable prediction of the response of marine organisms (phyto- and zooplankton, invertebrates, fishes and their life stages) and systems to such changes requires a detailed understanding of the underlying mechanisms as well as long-term studies under controlled conditions. BIOACID intends to carry out interdisciplinary studies of development, growth and activity performance, and of the mechanisms of acid-base and ion regulation incl. calcification. The scope of the work is complemented by molecular analyses, by modelling and the study of synergistic effects of ocean acidification and other environmental factors, with the goal to reach predictability of future responses of marine organisms and ecosystems.

Detailed descriptions of each position and of the specific requirements are available on the AWI homepage under Open Positions  (http://www.awi.de/en/news/open_positions/bremerhaven_helgoland_sylt).

Coral reefs in danger of dying out in next 20 years

The world’s coral reefs are in danger of dying in the next 20 years unless the world drastically cuts carbon emissions, a coalition of scientists led by Sir David Attenborough has warned.

The delicate eco systems, known as the “rainforests of the sea”, support huge amounts of marine life.

But as oceans absorb carbon dioxide, they become more acidic, making it impossible for coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to survive. Reefs are also at greater danger of bleaching as sea temperatures warm.

Scientists gathered at the Royal Society in London yesterday to call for tougher targets for the world to cut emissions.

Sir David Attenborough, who co-chaired the meeting, said that the collapse of coral reefs meant the death of marine ecosystems.

“We must do all that is necessary to protect the key components of the life of our planet as the consequences of decisions made now will likely be forever as far as humanity is concerned,” he said.

Experts warn of reef extinction by end of century

Wildlife experts warn that the world’s coral reefs may be extinct by the end of this century unless the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is cut down.

At a meeting in London on Monday, leading wildlife experts claimed that the predicted pace of emissions means a level of 450 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere will be reached by 2050.

The emissions will lead to increasingly acidic oceans and warming water temperatures, which will kill off the coral reefs in the following decades.

“The kitchen is on fire and it’s spreading around the house,” said Alex Rogers of the Zoological Society of London and the International Program on the State of the Ocean.

Great Barrier Reef facing destruction ‘within 20 years’ say experts

Children born today could be the last generation to enjoy swimming among stunning coral reefs, marine scientists have said.

A meeting of leading wildlife experts – led by Sir David Attenborough – today warned that tropical reefs face ‘imminent destruction’ unless the world cuts the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

They say concentrations of CO2 have already gone beyond the tipping point for reefs – and need to return to the levels of the 1970s.

And Charlie Veron, former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, has claimed that the Great Barrier Reef will be gone within 20 years.

‘There is no way out, no loopholes,’ he said. ‘The Great Barrier Reef will be over within 20 years or so.’

Great Barrier Reef will be gone in 20 years, says Charlie Veron

The Great Barrier Reef will be so degraded by warming waters that it will be unrecognisable within 20 years, an eminent marine scientist has said.

Charlie Veron, former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, told The Times: “There is no way out, no loopholes. The Great Barrier Reef will be over within 20 years or so.”

Once carbon dioxide had hit the levels predicted for between 2030 and 2060, all coral reefs were doomed to extinction, he said. “They would be the world’s first global ecosystem to collapse. I have the backing of every coral reef scientist, every research organisation. I’ve spoken to them all. This is critical. This is reality.”

Scientists warn carbon dioxide may soon make coral reefs extinct

David Attenborough joined scientists today to warn that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is already above the level which condemns coral reefs to extinction, with catastrophic effects for the oceans and the people who depend upon them.

Coral reefs support a quarter of all marine life, including more than 4,000 species of fish. They also provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding areas for creatures such as lobsters, crabs, starfish and sea turtles.

This makes them crucial in supporting a healthy marine ecosystem upon which more than a billion people depend for food. Reefs also play a crucial role as natural breakwaters, protecting coastlines from storms.

Attenborough said the world had a “moral responsibility” to save corals. The naturalist was speaking at the Royal Society in London, following a meeting of marine biologists.

Reefs could perish by end of century, experts warn

Increasingly acidic oceans and warming water temperatures due to carbon dioxide emissions could kill off the world’s ocean reefs by the end of this century, scientists warned on Monday.

The experts told a meeting in London the predicted pace of emissions means a level of 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere will be reached by 2050, putting corals on a path to extinction in the following decades.

The two dozen coral reef specialists and climate change exerts represented universities, government research offices and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“The kitchen is on fire and it’s spreading around the house,” Alex Rogers of the Zoological Society of London and the International Program on the State of the Ocean, said in a statement.

Coral reefs exposed to imminent destruction from climate change

Coral reef survival is balancing on a knife edge as the combined effects of ocean acidification and ocean warming events threaten to push reefs to the brink of extinction this century, warned a meeting of leading scientists.

Organised by ZSL, the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) and the Royal Society, the meeting identified the level of atmospheric CO2 predicted to result in the demise of coral reefs.

At anticipated rates of emission increase, it is expected that 450 ppm CO2 will be reached before 2050. At that point, corals may be on a path to extinction within a matter of decades.

Coral reefs exposed to imminent destruction from climate change

Coral reef survival is balancing on a knife edge as the combined effects of ocean acidification and ocean warming events threaten to push reefs to the brink of extinction this century, warned a meeting of leading scientists.

Organised by ZSL, the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) and the Royal Society, the meeting identified the level of atmospheric CO2 predicted to result in the demise of coral reefs.

At anticipated rates of emission increase, it is expected that 450 ppm CO2 will be reached before 2050. At that point, corals may be on a path to extinction within a matter of decades.

By 2050, the remaining coral reefs could fall victim to ocean acidification. Such a catastrophe would not be confined to reefs, but could start of a domino-like sequence of the fall of other marine ecosystems.

Sir David Attenborough who co-chaired the meeting said “We must do all that is necessary to protect the key components of the life of our planet as the consequences of decisions made now will likely be forever as far as humanity is concerned”.