Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification response
Major questions surround the species-specific nature of coccolithophore calcification in response to rising atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> levels. Here we present CaCO<sub>3</sub> particle volume distribution data from the coccolith size-fraction o...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2008-12-01
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| Series: | Biogeosciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.biogeosciences.net/5/1651/2008/bg-5-1651-2008.pdf |
| Summary: | Major questions surround the species-specific nature of coccolithophore calcification in response to rising atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> levels. Here we present CaCO<sub>3</sub> particle volume distribution data from the coccolith size-fraction of a rapidly accumulating North Atlantic sediment core. Without direct volume measurements on coccoliths produced by individual coccolithophore species, and knowledge of organic, as well as inorganic carbon production, it is not possible to state conclusively the coccolithophore calcification change at this site. However, by analysing the size distribution of CaCO<sub>3</sub> particles in the less than 10 μm sediment fraction, we demonstrate a changing particle volume since the late 20th Century consistent with an increase in the mass of coccoliths produced by the larger coccolithophore species, and potentially a decrease in mass of coccoliths produced by the smaller species, present at this location. This finding has significant implications for the realistic representation of an assemblage-wide coccolithophore CO<sub>2</sub>-calcification response in numerical models. |
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| ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |