Ocean acidification increases domoic acid contents during a spring to summer succession of coastal phytoplankton

TY - JOUR

T1 - Ocean acidification increases domoic acid contents during a spring to summer succession of coastal phytoplankton

AU - Wohlrab, S.

AU - John, U.

AU - Klemm, K.

AU - Eberlein, Tim

AU - Forsberg Grivogiannis, A.M.

AU - Krock, Bernd

AU - Firckenhaus, S.

AU - Bach, Lennart T.

AU - Rost, B.

AU - Riebesell, U.

AU - Van de Waal, Dedmer

N1 - 6853, AqE; Data archiving: no NIOO data (owned by others)

PY - 2020/2/1

Y1 - 2020/2/1

N2 - Enrichment of the oceans with CO2 may be beneficial for some marine phytoplankton, including harmful algae. Numerous laboratory experiments provided valuable insights into the effects of elevated pCO2 on the growth and physiology of harmful algal species, including the production of phycotoxins. Experiments close to natural conditions are the next step to improve predictions, as they consider the complex interplay between biotic and abiotic factors that can confound the direct effects of ocean acidification. We therefore investigated the effect of ocean acidification on the occurrence and abundance of phycotoxins in bulk plankton samples during a long-term mesocosm experiment in the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden, an area frequently experiencing harmful algal blooms. During the experimental period, a total of seven phycotoxin-producing harmful algal genera were identified in the fjord, and in accordance, six toxin classes were detected. However, within the mesocosms, only domoic acid and the corresponding producer Pseudo-nitzschia spp. was observed. Despite high variation within treatments, significantly higher particulate domoic acid contents were measured in the mesocosms with elevated pCO2. Higher particulate domoic acid contents were additionally associated with macronutrient limitation. The risks associated with potentially higher phycotoxin levels in the future ocean warrants attention and should be considered in prospective monitoring strategies for coastal marine waters.

AB - Enrichment of the oceans with CO2 may be beneficial for some marine phytoplankton, including harmful algae. Numerous laboratory experiments provided valuable insights into the effects of elevated pCO2 on the growth and physiology of harmful algal species, including the production of phycotoxins. Experiments close to natural conditions are the next step to improve predictions, as they consider the complex interplay between biotic and abiotic factors that can confound the direct effects of ocean acidification. We therefore investigated the effect of ocean acidification on the occurrence and abundance of phycotoxins in bulk plankton samples during a long-term mesocosm experiment in the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden, an area frequently experiencing harmful algal blooms. During the experimental period, a total of seven phycotoxin-producing harmful algal genera were identified in the fjord, and in accordance, six toxin classes were detected. However, within the mesocosms, only domoic acid and the corresponding producer Pseudo-nitzschia spp. was observed. Despite high variation within treatments, significantly higher particulate domoic acid contents were measured in the mesocosms with elevated pCO2. Higher particulate domoic acid contents were additionally associated with macronutrient limitation. The risks associated with potentially higher phycotoxin levels in the future ocean warrants attention and should be considered in prospective monitoring strategies for coastal marine waters.

KW - international

KW - Plan_S-Compliant_NO

KW - Elevated pCO2

KW - Mesocosm

KW - Amnesic shellfish poisoning

KW - Pseudo-nitzschia

KW - Future ocean

KW - Elevated pCO

U2 - 10.1016/j.hal.2019.101697

DO - 10.1016/j.hal.2019.101697

M3 - Article

SN - 1568-9883

VL - 92

JO - Harmful Algae

JF - Harmful Algae

M1 - 101697

ER -