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Enhanced silica export in a future ocean triggers global diatom decline

Author

Listed:
  • Jan Taucher

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Lennart T. Bach

    (University of Tasmania)

  • A. E. Friederike Prowe

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Tim Boxhammer

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Karin Kvale

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    GNS Science)

  • Ulf Riebesell

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

Abstract

Diatoms account for up to 40% of marine primary production1,2 and require silicic acid to grow and build their opal shell3. On the physiological and ecological level, diatoms are thought to be resistant to, or even benefit from, ocean acidification4–6. Yet, global-scale responses and implications for biogeochemical cycles in the future ocean remain largely unknown. Here we conducted five in situ mesocosm experiments with natural plankton communities in different biomes and find that ocean acidification increases the elemental ratio of silicon (Si) to nitrogen (N) of sinking biogenic matter by 17 ± 6 per cent under $${{p}}_{{{\rm{CO}}}_{2}}$$ p CO 2 conditions projected for the year 2100. This shift in Si:N seems to be caused by slower chemical dissolution of silica at decreasing seawater pH. We test this finding with global sediment trap data, which confirm a widespread influence of pH on Si:N in the oceanic water column. Earth system model simulations show that a future pH-driven decrease in silica dissolution of sinking material reduces the availability of silicic acid in the surface ocean, triggering a global decline of diatoms by 13–26 per cent due to ocean acidification by the year 2200. This outcome contrasts sharply with the conclusions of previous experimental studies, thereby illustrating how our current understanding of biological impacts of ocean change can be considerably altered at the global scale through unexpected feedback mechanisms in the Earth system.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Taucher & Lennart T. Bach & A. E. Friederike Prowe & Tim Boxhammer & Karin Kvale & Ulf Riebesell, 2022. "Enhanced silica export in a future ocean triggers global diatom decline," Nature, Nature, vol. 605(7911), pages 696-700, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:605:y:2022:i:7911:d:10.1038_s41586-022-04687-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04687-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Manon Laget & Laetitia Drago & Thelma Panaïotis & Rainer Kiko & Lars Stemmann & Andreas Rogge & Natalia Llopis-Monferrer & Aude Leynaert & Jean-Olivier Irisson & Tristan Biard, 2024. "Global census of the significance of giant mesopelagic protists to the marine carbon and silicon cycles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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