• Energy Research

Abstract Recent works have begun to explore the magnitude and frequency of localized changes in seawater chemistry in shallow water systems, where the effects of warming and acidification are still unpredictable. In a Mediterranean shallow coastal site, we empirically characterized the diel, seasonal, and annual pattern of pH, temperature, and associated chemical changes on one Ellisolandia elongata ‘corniche’, (i.e. a coastal algal biogenic reef). Local benthic metabolism together with temperature, were two of the main drivers for the carbonate system variation over diel and seasonal cycles. During the 12-month study, a total of seven heatwave events were recorded (two of which occurred in winter) with the longest lasting 11 days. The present study highlights the importance of improving the knowledge of changes and dynamics occurring at local scale, by extending in situ data acquisition at shallow coastal sites, in order to better assess the impacts of climate change on both environment and ecosystems.

Abstract Recent works have begun to explore the magnitude and frequency of localized changes in seawater chemistry in shallow water systems, where the effects of warming and acidification are still unpredictable. In a Mediterranean shallow coastal site, we empirically characterized the diel, seasonal, and annual pattern of pH, temperature, and associated chemical changes on one Ellisolandia elongata ‘corniche’, (i.e. a coastal algal biogenic reef). Local benthic metabolism together with temperature, were two of the main drivers for the carbonate system variation over diel and seasonal cycles. During the 12-month study, a total of seven heatwave events were recorded (two of which occurred in winter) with the longest lasting 11 days. The present study highlights the importance of improving the knowledge of changes and dynamics occurring at local scale, by extending in situ data acquisition at shallow coastal sites, in order to better assess the impacts of climate change on both environment and ecosystems.

The Southern Ocean is an important atmospheric carbon sink, and potential changes in the carbon flux in this region will affect the ocean as a whole. Thus, to monitor the variability of its physico-chemical parameters is becoming a priority. This study provides the first high-resolution all-year-round record of observed and computed physico-chemical data from a shallow coastal site in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea). From November 2018 to November 2019, an underwater observatory deployed at a 25 m depth under an ice pack recorded pressure (p), temperature (t), electrical conductivity (C), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH in total scale (pHT), and illuminance (Ev). Practical salinity (SP), density (ρ), tidal constituents, carbonate system parameters (total alkalinity (TA), carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2), calcite, and aragonite (ΩCa, ΩAr)), together with sea ice concentration (SIC) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), were derived from measured and satellite data. t, DO, and pHT displayed the lowest values between July and November (–1.95 °C, 6.61 mL L−1, 7.97) whereas the highest in January (+1.08 °C, 10.61 mL L−1, 8.35). SP had the lowest values (33.72 PSU) in February and the highest (34.87 PSU) in September. Ev peaked in March (201 lux), with the highest values (>50 lux) in correspondence to the lowest values of SIC and a delayed trend, between December and March, with respect to Chl-a values (0.2–1.1 mg m−3). ΩCa and ΩAr showed their highest average monthly values (±s.d.) in January (ΩCa: 3.41 ± 0.27; ΩAr: 2.14 ± 0.17), when DO had maximum values. The lowest Ω occurred in September (ΩCa: 2.11 ± 0.02; ΩAr: 1.32 ± 0.02), at the end of phytoplankton activity. No undersaturation for both calcite and aragonite was recorded during the study period. This study highlights that biological activities and physico-chemical variables of the investigated shallow coastal site are coupled and, in many cases, influence each other.

The Southern Ocean is an important atmospheric carbon sink, and potential changes in the carbon flux in this region will affect the ocean as a whole. Thus, to monitor the variability of its physico-chemical parameters is becoming a priority. This study provides the first high-resolution all-year-round record of observed and computed physico-chemical data from a shallow coastal site in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea). From November 2018 to November 2019, an underwater observatory deployed at a 25 m depth under an ice pack recorded pressure (p), temperature (t), electrical conductivity (C), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH in total scale (pHT), and illuminance (Ev). Practical salinity (SP), density (ρ), tidal constituents, carbonate system parameters (total alkalinity (TA), carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2), calcite, and aragonite (ΩCa, ΩAr)), together with sea ice concentration (SIC) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), were derived from measured and satellite data. t, DO, and pHT displayed the lowest values between July and November (–1.95 °C, 6.61 mL L−1, 7.97) whereas the highest in January (+1.08 °C, 10.61 mL L−1, 8.35). SP had the lowest values (33.72 PSU) in February and the highest (34.87 PSU) in September. Ev peaked in March (201 lux), with the highest values (>50 lux) in correspondence to the lowest values of SIC and a delayed trend, between December and March, with respect to Chl-a values (0.2–1.1 mg m−3). ΩCa and ΩAr showed their highest average monthly values (±s.d.) in January (ΩCa: 3.41 ± 0.27; ΩAr: 2.14 ± 0.17), when DO had maximum values. The lowest Ω occurred in September (ΩCa: 2.11 ± 0.02; ΩAr: 1.32 ± 0.02), at the end of phytoplankton activity. No undersaturation for both calcite and aragonite was recorded during the study period. This study highlights that biological activities and physico-chemical variables of the investigated shallow coastal site are coupled and, in many cases, influence each other.

Coralline algae represent the most important bioconstructors in the Mediterranean Sea and are currently impaired by the effects of climate change (CC), particularly by global warming and ocean acidification (OA). We studied the effects of these two drivers on Ellisolandia elongata, an intertidal coralline algae that is known to host a rich biodiversity of associated fauna. We cultured turfs of E. elongata in experimental conditions of increased temperature and OA (using the values of the IPCC scenario RCP- 8.5 expected for 2100: actual mean temperature +3°C and pH = 7.78), and estimated alteration of algal linear growth and community structure, focusing especially on peracarid crustaceans and annelids. Our findings revealed a decrease in linear growth, yet with no significant changes on structural integrity, and a simplification of associated community, in particular for peracarids. Our study contributes to understand community-level response to CC drivers, highlighting the vulnerability of the fauna associated to an important Mediterranean marine habitat.

Coralline algae represent the most important bioconstructors in the Mediterranean Sea and are currently impaired by the effects of climate change (CC), particularly by global warming and ocean acidification (OA). We studied the effects of these two drivers on Ellisolandia elongata, an intertidal coralline algae that is known to host a rich biodiversity of associated fauna. We cultured turfs of E. elongata in experimental conditions of increased temperature and OA (using the values of the IPCC scenario RCP- 8.5 expected for 2100: actual mean temperature +3°C and pH = 7.78), and estimated alteration of algal linear growth and community structure, focusing especially on peracarid crustaceans and annelids. Our findings revealed a decrease in linear growth, yet with no significant changes on structural integrity, and a simplification of associated community, in particular for peracarids. Our study contributes to understand community-level response to CC drivers, highlighting the vulnerability of the fauna associated to an important Mediterranean marine habitat.