Long-term experiment on physiological responses to synergetic effects of ocean acidification and photoperiod in the Antarctic sea ice algae Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L

Environ Sci Technol. 2014 Jul 15;48(14):7738-46. doi: 10.1021/es404866z. Epub 2014 Jun 20.

Abstract

Studies on ocean acidification have mostly been based on short-term experiments of low latitude with few investigations of the long-term influence on sea ice communities. Here, the combined effects of ocean acidification and photoperiod on the physiological response of the Antarctic sea ice microalgae Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L were examined. There was a general increase in growth, PSII photosynthetic parameters, and N and P uptake in continuous light, compared to those exposed to regular dark and light cycles. Elevated pCO2 showed no consistent effect on growth rate (p=0.8) and N uptake (p=0.38) during exponential phrase, depending on the photoperiod but had a positive effect on PSII photosynthetic capacity and P uptake. Continuous dark reduced growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. Moreover, intracellular lipid, mainly in the form of PUFA, was consumed at 80% and 63% in low and high pCO2 in darkness. However, long-term culture under high pCO2 gave a more significant inhibition of growth and Fv/Fm to high light stress. In summary, ocean acidification may have significant effects on Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L survival in polar winter. The current study contributes to an understanding of how a sea ice algae-based community may respond to global climate change at high latitudes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acids / chemistry*
  • Antarctic Regions
  • Carbon Dioxide / pharmacology
  • Carbonates / analysis
  • Chlamydomonas / growth & development
  • Chlamydomonas / physiology*
  • Chlamydomonas / radiation effects
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Ice Cover*
  • Light
  • Lipids / analysis
  • Oceans and Seas*
  • Photoperiod*
  • Photosynthesis / drug effects
  • Photosynthesis / radiation effects
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Acids
  • Carbonates
  • Lipids
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Carbon Dioxide