About This Project

Our project aims to understand how coccolithophore responses to ocean acidification (OA) change nanoplankton community structures. We hypothesize that coccolithophore responses to OA will negatively affect nanoplankton community structures. Through a combination of lab and field work, we will observe these phytoplankton in their natural environments. This study will advance our knowledge of how calcareous phytoplankton and plankton communities will behave in future acidic oceans.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Ocean acidification is an ecological phenomenon responsible for the declining health of many marine ecosystems, starting with the plankton community. One of these micro-organisms, coccolithophores, creates its exoskeleton out of calcium carbonate, and may serve as an indicator for the greater ecosystems response to ocean acidification. Past research have documented their responses to rising CO₂ levels, but discrepancies between papers have led to conflicting results. This project aims to understand how coccolithophore responses to ocean acidification changes plankton community structures.

What is the significance of this project?

Coccolithophores are a vital part of the carbon oceanic circulation pumps as they construct their exoskeletons from carbon molecules, which also serve as ballast for sinking organic material and diminish surface carbon molecules available for acidification reactions. But rising CO₂ levels may diminish coccolithophores ability to build coccospheres, jeopardizing the health of phytoplankton and the overall marine ecosystem. If coccolithophores can adapt to the changing environment and algal community structures, then coccolithophores could continually transport carbon molecules down the water column. In some cases, this CO₂ absorption could even slightly mitigate ocean acidification impacts on local marine environments.

What are the goals of the project?

The goal of this project is to assess the carbon sequestration ability of coccolithophores through a combination of lab, field, and analytic research. At Juniata College, we will compare differences in field and lab studies through a meta-analysis of past acidification research relating to Emiliania huxleyi, the most common coccolithophore species. We will also run algal raceway cultures to observe community changes based on rising CO₂ levels. At the ZMT, we will measure CO₂ levels in mesocosm cultures with Emiliania huxleyi and plankton communities to compare the success of inorganic carbon transportation. This project will ideally provide a supported view of coccolithophore responses to ocean acidification, and project the future for the marine planktonic community.