Modern seawater acidification: the response of foraminifera to high-CO2 conditions in the Mediterranean Sea, JGS 167 (2010), B. B. Dias, M. B. Hart, C. W. Smart & J. M. Hall-Spencer

Journal of the Geological Society (September 2010), 167(5): 843-846; DOI: 10.1144/0016-76492010-050

Modern seawater acidification: the response of foraminifera to high-CO₂ conditions in the Mediterranean Sea

B. B. Dias¹, M. B. Hart^2,*, C. W. Smart² and J. M. Hall-Spencer³

¹ Laboratório de Oceanografia Costeira, Departamento de Geociências, CFH Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopólis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
² School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
³ School of Marine Science & Engineering, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK

Abstract

The seas around the island of Ischia (Italy) have a lowered pH as a result of volcanic gas vents that emit carbon dioxide from the sea floor at ambient seawater temperatures. These areas of acidified seawater provide natural laboratories in which to study the long-term biological response to rising CO₂ levels. Benthic foraminifera (single-celled protists) are particularly interesting as they have short life histories, are environmentally sensitive and have an excellent fossil record. Here, we examine changes in foraminiferal assemblages along pH gradients at CO₂ vents on the coast of Ischia and show that the foraminiferal distribution, diversity and nature of the fauna change markedly in the living assemblages as pH decreases.

*Correspondence e-mail: mhart@plymouth.ac.uk


Link:  http://jgs.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/167/5/843