A certain kind of algae may grow bigger due to the increase in levels of carbon dioxide in the oceans, according to a new study.
The study was conducted by a study team led by researchers from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS). Researchers looked at the growth of a particular strain of coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi and examined how its growth would be affected if all the fossil fuel was used up by the end of this century.
These algae secrete calcite shells that sink to the bottom of the ocean and trap carbon with them. Some of these algae species are known to be sensitive to the changing acidity of the oceans (due to increase in carbon dioxide levels). However, according to the latest study, not all algae may be sensitive to changing carbon dioxide levels.
"Contrary to many studies, we see that this species of coccolithophore gets bigger and possesses more calcite under worst-case scenario CO2 levels for the year 2100They do not simply dissolve away under high CO2 and elevated acidity," said Dr. Bethan Jones, a former researcher at University of Southampton Ocean and Earth Science, which is based at NOCS, and lead author of the study.
Another observation made by the researchers was that as the levels of carbon dioxide rose, the algae began growing slowly, which was a sign of stress.
"This study suggests that this strain of Emiliania huxleyi possesses some resilience to tolerate future CO2 scenarios, although the observed decline in growth rate may be an overriding factor affecting the success of this ecotype in future oceans. This is because if other species are able to grow faster under high CO2, they may 'outgrow' this type of coccolithophore," said professor Iglesias-Rodriguez, formerly at University of Southampton Ocean and Earth Science and a co-author of the study.
The study is published in the journal PLOS One.