Ocean warming and freshening effects on lipid metabolism in coastal Antarctic phytoplankton assemblages dominated by sub-Antarctic species

Marine phytoplankton can utilize different strategies to cope with ocean warming and freshening from glacial melting in polar regions, which are disproportionally impacted by global warming. In the present study, we investigated the individual and combined effects of a 4 degrees C increase in seawater temperature (T+) and a 4 psu decrease in salinity (S & minus;) from ambient values on biomass, nutrient use, fatty acid composition and lipid damage biochemistry of natural phytoplankton assemblages from Potter Cove (25 de Mayo/King George Island, Antarctica). Experiments were conducted by exposing the assemblages to four treatments during a 7-day incubation period using microcosm located along shore from January 23 to 31, 2016. The N:P ratio decreased in all treatments from day 4 onwards, but especially under high temperature (T+). Lipid damage was mainly detected under S0T+ and S & minus;T+ conditions, and it decreased when the production of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol increased. This antioxidant protection resulted in a build-up of phytoplankton biomass, especially at T+. Under the combined effect of both stressors (S & minus;T+), the concentration of omega 3 fatty acids increased, potentially leading to higher-quality FA composition. These results, which were related to the dominance of sub-Antarctic species in phytoplankton assemblages, contribute to the understanding of the potential consequences of ocean warming and increase seawater freshening on the trophic webs of the Southern Ocean. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Superscript/Subscript Available

Automated summary

This study investigated the individual and combined effects of increased seawater temperature and decreased salinity on natural phytoplankton assemblages in Antarctica. The findings showed that lipid damage was detected mainly under low salinity and high temperature conditions, and the production of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol played a role in decreasing lipid damage. Additionally, the concentration of omega 3 fatty acids increased under the combined stressors of low salinity and high temperature, potentially leading to higher-quality fatty acid composition.