Physiological responses of Skeletonema costatum to the interactions of seawater acidification and the combination of photoperiod and temperature

Ocean acidification (OA), which is a major environmental change caused by increasing atmospheric CO2, has considerable influences on marine phytoplankton. But few studies have investigated interactions of OA and seasonal changes in temperature and photoperiod on marine diatoms. In the present study, a marine diatom Skeletonema costatum was cultured under two different CO2 levels (LC, 400 mu atm; HC, 1000 mu atm) and three different combinations of temperature and photoperiod length (8 : 16 L : D with 5 degrees C, 12 V 12 L V D with 15 degrees C, 16 : 8 L : D with 25 degrees C), simulating different seasons in typical temperate oceans, to investigate the combined effects of these factors. The results showed that specific growth rate of S. costatum increased with increasing temperature and day length. However, OA showed contrasting effects on growth and photosynthesis under different combinations of temperature and day length: while positive effects of OA were observed under spring and autumn conditions, it significantly decreased growth (11 %) and photosynthesis (21 %) in winter. In addition, OA alleviated the negative effect of low temperature and short day length on the abundance of RbcL and key photosystem II (PSII) proteins (D1 and D2). These data indicated that future ocean acidification may show differential effects on diatoms in different clusters of other factors.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that ocean acidification interacts with temperature and photoperiod to influence the growth and photosynthesis of marine diatoms, showing seasonal dependence. Positive effects of OA were observed under certain seasonal conditions, while it significantly decreased growth and photosynthesis in winter. OA also alleviated the negative effect of low temperature and short day length on key proteins in marine diatoms.