MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 470:191-205 (2012)

Influence of ocean warming and acidification on trace metal biogeochemistry

ABSTRACT: Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations will have profound effects on atmospheric and hydrographic processes, which will ultimately modify the supple and chemistry of trace metals in the ocean. In addition to an increase in sea surface temperatures, higher CO2 results in a decrease in seawater pH, known as ocean acidification, with implications for inorganic trace metal chemistry. Furthermore, direct or indirect effects of ocean acidification and ocean warming on marine biota will affect trace metal biogeochemistry via alteration of biological trace metal uptake rates and metal binding to organic ligands. We still lack a holistic understanding of the impacts of decreasing seawater pH and rising temperatures on different trace metals and marine biota, which complicates projections into the future. Here, we outline how ocean acidification and ocean warming will influence the inputs and cycling of Fe and other biologically relevant trace metals globally and regionally in high and low latitudes of the future ocean; we discuss uncertainties and highlight essential future research fields.

KEYWORDS

Linn J. Hoffmann (Co-author)

  • Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany

Eike Breitbarth (Co-author)

  • Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany

Philip W. Boyd (Co-author)

  • National Institute of Water and Atmosphere Centre of Chemical and Physical Oceanography, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand

Keith A. Hunter (Co-author)