INTERACTIONS BETWEEN OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND WARMING ON THE MORTALITY AND DISSOLUTION OF CORALLINE ALGAE 1

摘要: Coralline algae are among the most sensitive calcifying organisms to ocean acidification as a result of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2 ). Little is known, however, about combined impacts pCO2 , acidification, and sea surface temperature on tissue mortality skeletal dissolution coralline algae. To address this issue, we conducted factorial manipulative experiments elevated CO2 examined consequences survival crustose alga (CCA) Porolithon (=Hydrolithon) onkodes (Heydr.) Foslie (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) southern Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. We observed that warming amplified negative effects high health algae: rates advanced partial CCA from <1% 9% under (from 400 1,100 ppm) exacerbated 15% conditions 26°C 29°C). Furthermore, effect strongly depended temperature. Dissolution P. only occurred in high-pCO2 treatment was greater warm treatment. Enhanced also associated with significant increase abundance endolithic Our results demonstrate particularly conditions, suggesting previous focused alone have underestimated impact future Given central role play within coral reefs, these conclusions serious ramifications for integrity coral-reef ecosystems.