산성화로 인해 유발되는 씨앗개체군(seed population)사망 확인을 통한 해양생태계 변화 이해

Abstract

Phytoplanktons in coastal regions are generally known to have a tolerance to ocean acidification. However, we identified that their survival is being threatened by acidic environments in the hypoxic zone, and present the evidence here. In natural sediments of hypoxic zone, morphological changes of calcareous seed population were observed, which were caused by acidic conditions in sediments and have been proven by hypoxia-induced acidification experiments. The calcareous spines of cysts could endure quite low pH levels (pH 7.39), suggesting that the seed populations in the hypoxic zone are already experiencing extremely acidic environments. After experinencing the intense acidic environments, the cysts without calcareous spines had the capability to germinate however can be linked to mortality, due to aerobic and anerobic decay. Consequently, we suggest that the changes in planktonic community structure and the reduction in biodiversity in the hypoxic zone will result.