Coccolithophores: Ancient Marine Algae
In a study carried out by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research NCPOR on Coccolithophores microscopic ancient marine algae, it has been revealed that there is a decrease in the concentration of oceanic calcium carbonate in southern Indian ocean.
About
- Coccolithophores are single-celled algae.
- They live in the upper layers of the world՚s oceans.
- They calcify marine phytoplankton that produce:
- 40% of open ocean calcium carbonate.
- 20% of the global net marine primary productivity.
- They also build exoskeletons from individual plates consisting of chalk and seashells.
- Coccolithophores help in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ocean during photosynthesis.
- They absorb more carbondioxide than they produce at equilibrium, beneficial for the ocean ecosystem.
- Abundance and diversity enrichment of coccolithophores is influenced by various environmental factors:
- Silicate concentrations
- Calcium carbonate concentration
- Diatom abundance
- Light intensity
- Availability of macro and possibly micronutrient concentrations
Study
- It points to climate change as a major reason for the altered coccolithophore calcification rate.
- Important for bringing positive changes in the marine ecosystem as well as global carbon cycle.
✍Examrace Team at Dec 30, 2021