Field data from CO2 vents, a current model of future ocean acidification
conditions, show a positive correlation between elevated seawater pCO2 and fleshy
macroalgal abundance, as well as a negative correlation between elevated seawater pCO2
and calcareous macroalgal abundance on coral reefs. One underlying physiological
mechanism for increases of fleshy macroalgae species in response to greater pCO2 could
be an increase in their photosynthesis. Furthermore, inorganic carbon use mechanisms,
irradiance and depth may influence species-specific responses to ocean acidification.
Therefore, this thesis aimed to discern carbon use strategies and photosynthetic responses
to elevated pCO2 of dominant tropical fleshy and calcareous macroalgae. All species
studied were able to utilize HCO3
- for photosynthesis. 33% of calcifying macroalgae and
80% of fleshy macroalgae had increased photosynthetic rates in response to lower pH.
Thus, future conditions of OA may perpetuate or exacerbate the abundance of fleshy
seaweeds at the expense of calcareous species. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_34524 |
| Contributors | Zweng, Regina C. (author), Koch, Marguerite (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 89 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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