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Coccolith volume of the Southern Ocean coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi as a possible indicator for palaeo-cell volume

Version 2 2024-07-16, 03:54
Version 1 2023-05-20, 17:55
journal contribution
posted on 2024-07-16, 03:54 authored by MN Muller, FP Brandini, TW Trull, Gustaaf HallegraeffGustaaf Hallegraeff

Coccolithophores are a key functional phytoplankton group and produce minute calcite plates (coccoliths) in the sunlit layer of the pelagic ocean. Coccoliths significantly contribute to the sediment record since the Triassic and their geometry have been subject to palaeoceanographic and biological studies to retrieve information on past environmental conditions. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of coccolith, coccosphere and cell volume data of the Southern Ocean Emiliania huxleyi ecotype A, subject to gradients of temperature, irradiance, carbonate chemistry and macronutrient limitation. All tested environmental drivers significantly affect coccosphere, coccolith and cell volume with driver‐specific sensitivities. However, a highly significant correlation emerged between cell and coccolith volume with Vcoccolith = 0.012 ± 0.001 * Vcell + 0.234 ± 0.066 (n = 23, r2 = .85, p < .0001, σest = 0.127), indicating a primary control of coccolith volume by physiological modulated changes in cell volume. We discuss the possible application of fossil coccolith volume as an indicator for cell volume/size and growth rate and, additionally, illustrate that macronutrient limitation of phosphorus and nitrogen has the predominant influence on coccolith volume in respect to other environmental drivers. Our results provide a solid basis for the application of coccolith volume and geometry as a palaeo‐proxy and shed light on the underlying physiological reasons, offering a valuable tool to investigate the fossil record of the coccolithophore E. huxleyi.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

Geobiology

Volume

19

Issue

1

Pagination

63-74

ISSN

1472-4669

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Ecology and Biodiversity

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Publication status

  • Published

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Socio-economic Objectives

180201 Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems, 190507 Global effects of climate change (excl. Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and the South Pacific) (excl. social impacts), 180504 Marine biodiversity

UN Sustainable Development Goals

14 Life Below Water