Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-12-19481-2015
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-12-19481-2015
09 Dec 2015
 | 09 Dec 2015
Status: this discussion paper is a preprint. It has been under review for the journal Biogeosciences (BG). The manuscript was not accepted for further review after discussion.

High-resolution ocean pH dynamics in four subtropical Atlantic benthic habitats

C. A. Hernández, S. Clemente, C. Sangil, and J. C. Hernández

Abstract. Oscillations of ocean pH are largely unknown in coastal environments and ocean acidification studies often do not account for natural variability yet most of what is known about marine species and populations is found out via studies conducted in near shore environments. Most experiments designed to make predictions about future climate change scenarios are carried out in coastal environments with no research that takes into account the natural pH variability. In order to fill this knowledge gap and to provide reliable measures of pH oscillation, seawater pH was measured over time using moored pH sensors in four contrasting phytocenoses typical of the north Atlantic subtropical region. Each phytocenosis was characterized by its predominant engineer species: (1) Cystoseira abies-marina, (2) a mix of gelidiales and geniculate corallines, (3) Lobophora variegata, and (4) encrusting corallines. The autonomous pH measuring systems consisted of a pH sensor; a data logger and a battery encased in a waterproof container and allowed the acquisition of high-resolution continuous pH data at each of the study sites. The pH variation observed ranged by between 0.09 and 0.24 pHNBS units. A clear daily variation in seawater pH was detected at all the studied sites (0.04–0.12 pHNBS units). Significant differences in daily pH oscillations were also observed between phytocenoses, which shows that macroalgal communities influence the seawater pH in benthic habitats. Natural oscillations in pH must be taken into account in future ocean acidification studies to put findings in perspective and for any ecological recommendations to be realistic.

C. A. Hernández, S. Clemente, C. Sangil, and J. C. Hernández
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
C. A. Hernández, S. Clemente, C. Sangil, and J. C. Hernández
C. A. Hernández, S. Clemente, C. Sangil, and J. C. Hernández

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Short summary
Anthropogenic CO2 emissions cause ocean acidification. Here we present in situ high-resolution coastal pH dynamics data gathered at subtropical Atlantic benthic habitats. These bottoms are characterized by different macroalgae stands, which generate contrasting pH patterns naturally experienced by all organisms within that ecosystem. Ocean acidification exposure experiments or predictive models identifying species at particular risk must incorporate these patterns to be ecologically relevant.
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