Ocean Acidity Fuels Rapid Decline In Sulfur-Metabolizing Bacteria - Effects On Food Chain, Climate

[hatrack]

EDIT

The group found that the decrease in ocean pH (increased acidity) resulted in a sharp decline of a biogeochemically important group of bacteria known as the Marine Roseobacter clade. "This is the first time that a highly important bacterial group has been observed to decline in significant numbers with only a modest decrease in pH," said Mr Maguire.

The Marine Roseobacter clade is responsible for breaking down a sulphur compound called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) that is produced by photosynthesising plankton.

This end product is taken up and used by numerous bacteria as an important source of sulphur. A fraction of DMSP is turned into Dimethylsulfide (DMS) - a naturally occurring gas that influences the Earth's climate. DMS encourages the formation of clouds which reflect solar radiation back into space leading to a cooling of the earth's surface.

Mr Maguire's group hypothesizes that the decline of the Marine Roseobacter clade through ocean acidification may alter the release of DMS into the atmosphere and affect the amount of available sulphur. He believes this will have a significant impact on the ocean's productivity and the overall global climate system. "Ocean acidification will not only have large scale consequences for marine ecosystems but also socio-economical consequences due to changes in fish stocks and erosion of coral reefs," he explained.

EDIT/END

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Ecosystems_Under_Threat_From_Ocean_Acidification_999.html

[defendandprotect]

1. K&R --

[pleah]

2. K&R :(

[pleah]

3. Wow! The environment doesn't seem to be a very important issue here

these days. :(

[Nihil]

4. Not really ...

... it's just people get tired of typing "Oh Fuck!" with every new straw
that is dropped onto the camel's back ...
:shrug:

The rec count suggests that it is important in E/E but as for the wider world?
Not so much.
:-(