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Ocean Acidification Affects the Phyto-Zoo Plankton Trophic Transfer Efficiency
Gemma Cripps1, Kevin J Flynn2, Penelope K Lindeque3
1Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Ocean acidification impacts copepods through direct and indirect food quality effects. This harms reproduction and trophic transfer, threatening fisheries.
Area of Science:
- Marine Ecology
- Oceanography
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Copepods are vital to ocean ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles.
- Understanding copepod responses to ocean acidification (OA) is crucial.
- Indirect effects of OA via food quality are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chronic effects of direct and indirect elevated pCO2 on Acartia tonsa.
- To assess impacts on behavior, vital rates, and biochemical stoichiometry.
- To elucidate the role of biochemical changes in copepod trophic dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Experimental exposure of Acartia tonsa to elevated pCO2 (direct and indirect).
- Analysis of phytoplankton biochemical composition and copepod vital rates.
- Measurement of copepod respiration and carbon trophic transfer efficiency.
Main Results:
- Elevated pCO2 altered phytoplankton biochemistry, reducing copepod recruitment by 30%.
- Direct elevated pCO2 exposure caused gender-specific respiration changes in adult copepods.
- Combined exposures reduced phytoplankton-to-zooplankton carbon transfer efficiency by over 50%.
Conclusions:
- Biochemical stoichiometry plays a key role in copepod trophic dynamics under OA.
- Altered prey biochemistry impacts copepod stoichiometry, affecting higher trophic levels like fisheries.
- Future OA scenarios pose risks to phytoplankton control and copepod-supported food webs.
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