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...

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Main Authors: P. R. Halloran, I. R. Hall, E. Colmenero-Hidalgo, R. E. M. Rickaby
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2008-12-01
Series:Biogeosciences
Online Access:http://www.biogeosciences.net/5/1651/2008/bg-5-1651-2008.pdf
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author P. R. Halloran
I. R. Hall
E. Colmenero-Hidalgo
R. E. M. Rickaby
author_facet P. R. Halloran
I. R. Hall
E. Colmenero-Hidalgo
R. E. M. Rickaby
author_sort P. R. Halloran
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj.art-15f0461f7ab34ba18d509762057c05492022-12-22T02:47:30ZengCopernicus PublicationsBiogeosciences1726-41701726-41892008-12-015616511655Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification responseP. R. HalloranI. R. HallE. Colmenero-HidalgoR. E. M. RickabyMajor 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.http://www.biogeosciences.net/5/1651/2008/bg-5-1651-2008.pdf
spellingShingle P. R. Halloran
I. R. Hall
E. Colmenero-Hidalgo
R. E. M. Rickaby
Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification response
Biogeosciences
title Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification response
title_full Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification response
title_fullStr Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification response
title_full_unstemmed Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification response
title_short Evidence for a multi-species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries: understanding a potential ocean acidification response
title_sort evidence for a multi species coccolith volume change over the past two centuries understanding a potential ocean acidification response
url http://www.biogeosciences.net/5/1651/2008/bg-5-1651-2008.pdf
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