CO2 availability affects elemental composition (C:N:P) of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 155:67-76 (1997) - doi:10.3354/meps155067 CO2 availability affects elemental composition (C:N:P) of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum Burkhardt S, Riebesell U The effect of variable CO2 concentrations on the elemental composition (C:N:P) of marine diatoms was investigated in 2 strains of Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve. Five or 6 concentrations of dissolved molecular carbon dioxide [CO2 (aq)], ranging from 0.5 to 39 µmol l-1, were applied in dilute batch cultures. In both strains, elemental ratios were clearly dependent on [CO2 (aq)]. With decreasing CO2 concentrations, a decline in C:P and N:P and an increase in C:N was observed. The close correlation between C:P or N:P and [CO2 (aq)] corresponded to a ca 45 to 65% decrease in elemental ratios from highest (>=30 µmol l-1) to lowest (ca 1 µmol l-1) CO2 concentrations. C:N at low [CO2 (aq)] was up to 24% higher than at high [CO2 (aq)]. To date, the elemental composition of marine phytoplankton has been considered to be independent of CO2 availability. If dependency of the C:N:P ratio on [CO2 (aq)] proves to be a general phenomenon in marine phytoplankton, changes in the elemental composition may be expected in response to the currently observed increase in partial pressure of atmospheric CO2. Redfield ratio · CO2 · Phytoplankton · Marine diatoms · Cell stoichiometry Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 155. Publication date: August 28, 1997 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 1997 Inter-Research.