Effects of ocean acidification on the biogenic composition of the sea‐surface microlayer: Results from a mesocosm study. Issue 11 (24th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galgani, Luisa; Stolle, Christian; Endres, Sonja; Schulz, Kai G.; Engel, Anja
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 119:Issue 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 7911
• Page End: 7924
• Publication Date: 2014-11-24
• Subjects: Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1002/2014JC010188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The sea‐surface microlayer (SML) is the ocean's uppermost boundary to the atmosphere and in control of climate relevant processes like gas exchange and emission of marine primary organic aerosols (POA). The SML represents a complex surface film including organic components like polysaccharides, proteins, and marine gel particles, and harbors diverse microbial communities. Despite the potential relevance of the SML in ocean‐atmosphere interactions, still little is known about its structural characteristics and sensitivity to a changing environment such as increased oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO₂. Here we report results of a large‐scale mesocosm study, indicating that ocean acidification can affect the abundance and activity of microorganisms during phytoplankton blooms, resulting in changes in composition and dynamics of organic matter in the SML. Our results reveal a potential coupling between anthropogenic CO₂ emissions and the biogenic properties of the SML, pointing to a hitherto disregarded feedback process between ocean and atmosphere under climate change.</p> </abstract>