Marine Ecology Progress Series
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14900
copiedEffects of CO2 and Si-Al on the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum: implications for climate change
ABSTRACT:
Historical records show a link between CO2 and silicon-aluminum (Si-Al) during periods of global climate change, and their biogeochemical cycles are closely intertwined with the success of diatoms in the world’s oceans. However, our understanding of how diatoms respond to varying levels of CO2 and Si-Al remains limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of different CO2 concentrations, specifically 400 and 1200 ppm, in combination with varying levels of Si-Al, on a model diatom species, Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Both elevated CO2 and Si-Al supply significantly enhanced the growth, photosynthesis, and frustule carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the diatom cells. However, the impact of CO2 on the diatom was found to be more pronounced than that of Si-Al addition. The modifications in frustule composition induced by CO2 and Si-Al exhibited a synergistic effect on the heterogeneous distribution of surface potential and adhesion, attributed to an accelerated sinking rate of the diatom cells. Metabolomics analysis revealed alterations in lipid profiles under different CO2 and Si-Al conditions, and these metabolic shifts in lipid metabolism appeared to be linked to the cellular adaptation to nutrient depletion, particularly nitrogen limitation. Overall, our findings indicate that under elevated CO2 levels, certain species of diatoms may play an enhanced feedback role in carbon sequestration, with Si-Al acting as a facilitating regulator.
KEYWORDS
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Yingqi Lao (Co-author)
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
Ke Pan (Co-author)
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
Fengyuan Chen (Co-author)
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR
Zhen Zhang (Co-author)
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR
Jie Ma (Corresponding Author)
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, PR China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, PR China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Water Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, PR China
Handling Editor:
Antonio Bode, A Coruña, Spain
Reviewers:
D. Sharma and 2 anonymous referees
Acknowledgements:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42076148, U23A2048, 42376152), Guangxi Science and Technology Program (Guike AD25069074, 2301Z002), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2022A1515010681), Guangxi Key R&D Program of China (GUIKE AB20297018), the Innovation Team Project of Universities in Guangdong Province (No. 2020KCXTD023), Guangxi Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Treatment for Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution, and Modern Industry College of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Guilin University of Technology.