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Double Trouble - Consequences of Ocean Acidification - Past, Present and Future
Program coordinator(s): Dr. G. J. Reichart
Theme(s): 2
Funding date: 11-dec-09

Abstract
Along with climate warming, anthropogenic CO2 is currently causing a significant increase in ocean acidity: Double Trouble (Richard Feely, Barcelona 2007)! The effects of ocean acidification on marine calcifiers and plankton, as well as the marine carbon cycle are, however, poorly understood. Here we propose an integrated multidisciplinary research project by combining: 1, essential laboratory experiments using organisms grown under pCO2 controlled conditions. 2, state-of-the-art reconstructions of ocean acidification in the geological past. 3 studies of the impact of ocean acidification on the marine carbon cycle. Together this will quantify the impact of ocean acidification on calcification and feedbacks on atmospheric pCO2. The impact of past ocean acidification on evolution and extinction will provide important constraints on the adaptation potential of marine calcifiers and non-calcifying plankton. This approach allows for determining the consequences of differential responses for the marine carbon cycle. Together, these estimates of past and future rates of change and ecosystem turnover with will yield critical assessment of the tipping points in modern environments, crucial for policy makers.

This program contains the following projects:
3021: Double Trouble: Consequences of Ocean Acidification - Past, Present and Future - Dinoflagellate component
3022: Double Trouble: Consequences of Ocean Acidification - Past, Present and Future - Evolutionary changes in calcification mechanisms
3023: Double Trouble: Consequences of Ocean Acidification - Past, Present and Future - Physiologic impacts on marine calcifiers
3024: Double Trouble: Consequences of Ocean Acidification - Past, Present and Future - Consequences of Ocean Acidification for Phytoplankton production and losses

Publications
Glas, M. , Langer, G. and Keul, N. (2012). Calcification acidifies the microenvironment of a benthic foraminifer (Ammonia sp.). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology424: 53-58.
Darwin Center authors: Keul N., Langer G.

Keul, N., G. Langer, et al. (2013). Effect of ocean acidification on the benthic foraminifera Ammonia sp. is caused by a decrease in carbonate ion concentration. Biogeosciences Discuss.10: 1147-1176.
Darwin Center authors: Keul N., Langer G.

Keul, N., G. Langer, et al. (2013). Incorporation of uranium in benthic foraminiferal calcite reflects seawater carbonate ion concentration. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems14: 102-111.
Darwin Center authors: Keul N., Langer G.