Photosynthetic activity of seagrasses and macroalgae in temperate shallow waters can alter seawater pH and total inorganic carbon content at the scale of a coastal embayment
Pimchanok Buapet A B C , Martin Gullström A and Mats Björk A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
B Department of Biology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand 90110.
C Corresponding author. Email: pimchanok.buapet@su.se
Marine and Freshwater Research 64(11) 1040-1048 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12124
Submitted: 3 May 2012 Accepted: 30 April 2013 Published: 19 July 2013
Abstract
Many studies have reported fluctuations in pH and the concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in shallow coastal waters as a result of photosynthetic activity; however, little is known about how these fluctuations vary with degree of exposure among habitats, and at different scales. In the present study, diel variation in seawater pH was apparent in aquaria experiments with Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima. These pH variations were affected by light regime, biomass level and plant species. Subsequently, the natural variability in seawater pH and the concentration of DIC was assessed in six shallow embayments (three sheltered and three exposed) during sunny days. From the outer part towards the interior part of each bay, the following four habitats were identified and studied: the bay-mouth open water, seagrass beds, mixed macrophyte belts and unvegetated bottoms. The two vegetated habitats and unvegetated bottoms were characterised by higher pH and a lower concentration of DIC than in the bay-mouth water. The mixed macrophytes habitat showed slightly higher pH and a lower concentration of DIC than the seagrass and unvegetated habitats. No significant effect of exposure was detected. Our findings clearly showed that the photosynthetic activity of marine macrophytes can alter the coastal pH and the concentration of DIC and that the effects can be observed at the scale of a whole bay.
Additional keywords: ocean acidification, temperate environment.
References
Anderson, D. H., and Robinson, R. J. (1946). Rapid electrometric determination of the alkalinity of sea water using a glass electrode. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 18, 767–773.| 1:CAS:528:DyaH2sXjtl2m&md5=73fef2f375e7c2f5a2de34a6d514adc4CAS |
Anthony, K. R. N., Kleypas, J., and Gattuso, J. P. (2011). Coral reefs modify their seawater carbon chemistry implications for impacts of ocean acidification. Global Change Biology 17, 3655–3666.
| Coral reefs modify their seawater carbon chemistry implications for impacts of ocean acidification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Axelsson, L. (1988). Changes in pH as a measure of photosynthesis by marine macroalgae. Marine Biology 97, 287–294.
| Changes in pH as a measure of photosynthesis by marine macroalgae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baden, S. P., Gullström, M., Lundén, B., Pihl, L., and Rosenberg, R. (2003). Vanishing seagrass (Zostera marina L.) in Swedish coastal waters. AMBIO: a Journal of the Human Environment 32, 374–377.
Beer, S., and Koch, E. (1996). Photosynthesis of seagrasses vs. marine macroalgae in globally changing CO2 environments. Marine Ecology Progress Series 141, 199–204.
| Photosynthesis of seagrasses vs. marine macroalgae in globally changing CO2 environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beer, S., Björk, M., Hellblom, F., and Axelsson, L. (2002). Inorganic carbon utilization in marine angiosperms (seagrasses). Functional Plant Biology 29, 349–354.
| Inorganic carbon utilization in marine angiosperms (seagrasses).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XjsVCltL8%3D&md5=8c3e75aa85ffac6cf463dcc14ee778b9CAS |
Beer, S., Mtolera, M., Lyimo, T., and Björk, M. (2006). The photosynthetic performance of the tropical seagrass Halophila ovalis in the upper intertidal. Aquatic Botany 84, 367–371.
| The photosynthetic performance of the tropical seagrass Halophila ovalis in the upper intertidal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XivVGkurY%3D&md5=6c65bb995ee1bf700fa889c0ea9c8b51CAS |
Björk, M., Axelsson, L., and Beer, S. (2004). Why is Ulva intestinalis the only macroalga inhabiting isolated rockpools along the Swedish Atlantic coast? Marine Ecology Progress Series 284, 109–116.
| Why is Ulva intestinalis the only macroalga inhabiting isolated rockpools along the Swedish Atlantic coast?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brussaard, C. P. D., Gast, G. J., van Duyl, F. C., and Riegman, R. (1996). Impact of phytoplankton bloom magnitude on a pelagic microbial food web. Marine Ecology Progress Series 144, 211–221.
| Impact of phytoplankton bloom magnitude on a pelagic microbial food web.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dromgoole, F. I. (1978). The effects of oxygen on dark respiration and apparent photosynthesis in marine macro-algae. Aquatic Botany 4, 281–297.
| The effects of oxygen on dark respiration and apparent photosynthesis in marine macro-algae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Falkowski, P. G., and Raven, J. A. (2007). ‘Aquatic Photosynthesis’. 2nd edn. (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ.)
Frankignoulle, M., and Distèche, A. (1984). CO2 chemistry in the water column above Posidonia seagrass bed and related air-sea exchanges. Oceanologica Acta 7, 209–219.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXhsFCgtL4%3D&md5=2349638354dd0c8b103a581da4791dd4CAS |
Gullström, M., Baden, S., and Lindegarth, M. (2012). Spatial patterns and environmental correlates in leaf-associated epifaunal assemblages of temperate seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows. Marine Biology 159, 413–425.
| Spatial patterns and environmental correlates in leaf-associated epifaunal assemblages of temperate seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gustafsson, B., and Stigebrandt, A. (1996). Dynamics of the freshwater-influenced surface layers in the Skagerrak. Journal of Sea Research 35, 39–53.
| Dynamics of the freshwater-influenced surface layers in the Skagerrak.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Håkanson, L., and Jansson, M. (1983). ‘Principles of Lake Sedimentology.’ (SpringerVerlag: Berlin.)
Hansen, P. J. (2002). The effect of high pH on the growth and survival of marine phytoplankton: implications for species succession. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 28, 279–288.
| The effect of high pH on the growth and survival of marine phytoplankton: implications for species succession.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hjalmarsson, S., Wesslander, K., Anderson, L. G., Omstedt, A., Perttila, M., and Mintrop, L. (2008). Distribution, long-term development and mass balance calculation of total alkalinity in the Baltic Sea. Continental Shelf Research 28, 593–601.
| Distribution, long-term development and mass balance calculation of total alkalinity in the Baltic Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hofmann, G. E., Smith, J. E., Johnson, K. S., Send, U., Levin, L. A., Micheli, F., Paytan, A., Price, N. N., Peterson, B., Takeshita, Y., Matson, P. G., Crook, E. D., Kroeker, K. J., Gambi, M. C., Rivest, E. B., Frieder, C. A., Yu, P. C., and Martz, T. R. (2011). High frequency dynamics of ocean pH: a multi-ecosystem comparison. PLoS ONE 6, e28983.
| High frequency dynamics of ocean pH: a multi-ecosystem comparison.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XjvFSnuw%3D%3D&md5=bfabf69b0b2a9353f954a01580502647CAS | 22205986PubMed |
Howland, R. J. M., Tappin, A. D., Uncles, U. R. J., Plummer, D. H., and Bloomer, N. J. (2000). Distributions and seasonal variability of pH and alkalinity in the Tweed Estuary, UK. The Science of the Total Environment 251–252, 125–138.
| Distributions and seasonal variability of pH and alkalinity in the Tweed Estuary, UK.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johannesson, K. (1989). The bare zone of the Swedish rocky shores: why is it there? Oikos 54, 77–86.
| The bare zone of the Swedish rocky shores: why is it there?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kempe, S., and Pegler, K. (1991). Sinks and sources of CO2 in coastal seas: the North Sea. Tellus. Series B, Chemical and Physical Meteorology 43, 224–235.
| Sinks and sources of CO2 in coastal seas: the North Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Larsson, C., and Axelsson, L. (1999). Bicarbonate uptake and utilization in marine macroalgae. European Journal of Phycology 34, 79–86.
| Bicarbonate uptake and utilization in marine macroalgae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Menéndez, M., Martinez, M., and Comin, F. A. (2001). A comparative study of the effect of pH and inorganic carbon resources on the photosynthesis of three floating macroalgae species of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 256, 123–136.
| A comparative study of the effect of pH and inorganic carbon resources on the photosynthesis of three floating macroalgae species of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11137509PubMed |
Middelboe, A. L., and Hansen, P. J. (2007). High pH in shallow-water macroalgal habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series 338, 107–117.
| High pH in shallow-water macroalgal habitats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXot1Sgt70%3D&md5=cb382c466851e57217ce90b6d4f42d1dCAS |
Mvungi, E. F., Lyimo, T. J., and Björk, M. (2012). When Zostera marina is intermixed with Ulva, its photosynthesis is reduced by increased pH and lower light, but not by changes in light quality. Aquatic Botany 102, 44–49.
| When Zostera marina is intermixed with Ulva, its photosynthesis is reduced by increased pH and lower light, but not by changes in light quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nyqvist, A., André, C., Gullström, M., Baden, S. P., and Åberg, P. (2009). Dynamics of seagrass meadows on the Swedish Skagerrak coast. Ambio 38, 85–88.
| Dynamics of seagrass meadows on the Swedish Skagerrak coast.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19431937PubMed |
Orth, R. J., and Moore, K. A. (1988). Distribution of Zostera marina L. and Ruppia maritima L. sensu lato along depth gradients in the lower Chesapeake Bay, USA. Aquatic Botany 32, 291–305.
| Distribution of Zostera marina L. and Ruppia maritima L. sensu lato along depth gradients in the lower Chesapeake Bay, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pedersen, M. F., and Borum, J. (1993). An annual nitrogen budget for a seagrass Zostera marina population. Marine Ecology Progress Series 101, 169–177.
| An annual nitrogen budget for a seagrass Zostera marina population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pelletier, G., Lewis, E., and Wallace, D. (1997). ‘CO2 sys.xls (Version 1.0). A Calculator for the CO2 System in Seawater for Microsoft Excel/VBA.’ (Washington State Department of Ecology: Olympia, WA.)
Pihl, L., and Rosenberg, R. (1982). Production, abundance and biomass of mobile epibenthic marine fauna in shallow waters, western Sweden. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 57, 273–301.
| Production, abundance and biomass of mobile epibenthic marine fauna in shallow waters, western Sweden.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Raven, J. A., and Osmond, C. B. (1992). Inorganic C assimilation processes and their ecological significance in inter- and sub-tidal macroalgae of North Carolina. Functional Ecology 6, 41–47.
| Inorganic C assimilation processes and their ecological significance in inter- and sub-tidal macroalgae of North Carolina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Riley, J. P., and Skirrow, G. (Eds) (1965). ‘Chemical Oceanography Vol. 1.’ 1st edn. (Academic Press: London.)
Semesi, I. S., Beer, S., and Björk, M. (2009). Seagrass photosynthesis controls rates of calcification and photosynthesis of calcareous macroalgae in a tropical seagrass meadow. Marine Ecology Progress Series 382, 41–47.
| Seagrass photosynthesis controls rates of calcification and photosynthesis of calcareous macroalgae in a tropical seagrass meadow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXnvFaisrg%3D&md5=e2f95ee0e8cb3c3ebf3ccf945fa68c4aCAS |
Setchell, W. A. (1924). Ruppia and its environmental factors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 10, 286–288.
| Ruppia and its environmental factors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28zhs1Ggsg%3D%3D&md5=7dfb7db5cc7442c41540f3ae72893125CAS |
Smith, S. V., and Kinsey, D. W. (1978). Calcification and organic carbon metabolism as indicated by carbon dioxide. In ‘Coral reef: Research Methods’. (Eds D. R. Stoddart and R. E. Johannes.) pp. 469–484. (UNESCO: Paris.)
Talling, J. F. (1976). The depletion of carbon dioxide from lake water by phytoplankton. Journal of Ecology 64, 79–121.
| The depletion of carbon dioxide from lake water by phytoplankton.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE28XltlShsbk%3D&md5=f8a8e6f4dbaa2f489c279ac3b2eead9bCAS |
UNESCO (1985). The international system of units (SI) in oceanography. UNESCO,Technical Papers No. 45, IAPSO Publication Scientifique No. 32, Paris.
Unsworth, R. K. F., Collier, C. J., Henderson, G. M., and McKenzie, L. J. (2012). Tropical seagrass meadows modify seawater carbon chemistry: implications for coral reefs impacted by ocean acidification. Environmental Research Letters 7, 024026.
| Tropical seagrass meadows modify seawater carbon chemistry: implications for coral reefs impacted by ocean acidification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wootton, J. T., Pfister, C. A., and Forester, J. D. (2008). Dynamic patterns and ecological impacts of declining ocean pH in a high-resolution multi-year dataset. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105, 18 848–18 853.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsV2rtL3M&md5=572ab0fc747f302e95eedb954ab6a72bCAS |
