Algae Fights Ocean Acidification

Three species of coccolithophores, or single celled algae, are arming themselves against the acidification of the oceans. The oceans are becoming more acidic due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide, and scientists are worried that this will harm species that build protective outer walls.

Scientists at the University of Washington have found that the coccolithophores are adapting by building thicker calcium carbonate shells. Their findings were recently detailed in the journal Science.

Coccolithophores are a unique species of algae, building protective plates resembling hubcaps. Coccolithophores can have as many as 100 of these plates. When their concentration is great enough, the sheath, which is made from calcium carbonate, glows an aqua marine color when viewed from space.

Unlike other aquatic organisms that produce calcium carbonate, coccolithophores build their armor internally, and then push the calcium plates out. Scientists think this could be why they have adapted to a more acidic environment, while other organisms that rely on a protective calcium carbonate shell, like coral, oysters and clams, have not. Some scientists think that ocean acidification could kill off most the world’s coral reefs by the end of the century, because they are unable to produce enough calcium carbonate in acidic water.

--LiveScience Staff

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Image Credit: Norman Kuring, NASA, GSFC, GeoEye