Warming and acidification experiment on early life-stage F. vesiculosus under natural fluctuation and seasonal variations (spring 2013 - 2014)

Genetic diversity of baltic F. vesiculosus is low compared to other populations which might jeopardize their potential for adaptation to climate change. Especially the early life-stage F. vesiculosus may be threaten by ocean warming and acidification. To test this, we exposed F. vesiculosus germlings to warming and acidification in the near-natural scenario in the "Kiel Outdoor Benthocosms" maintaining the natural variation of the Kiel Fjord, Germany (54°27 'N, 10°11 'W) in all seasons (spring 2013 - 2014). Warming was simulated by using a delta treatment adding 5 °C and by increasing pCO2 at 1000 µatm. Warming positively affected germlings' growth in spring and in summer but decreased non-photochemical quenching in spring and survival in summer. Acidified conditions showed much weaker effects than warming. The high genotypic variation in stress sensitivity as well as the enhanced survival at high diversity levels indicate higher potential for adaptation for genetically diverse populations. We conclude that the combination of stressors and season determines the sensitivity to environmental stress and that genetic variation is crucial for the adaptation to climate change stress.

Light absorption and phytoplankton biomass in the Black Sea in spring 1995

Spectra of light absorption by suspended matter, phytoplankton, and detritus in the central and coastal parts of the Black Sea over the spring period (March-April 1995) were determined. Vertical homogeneity of the upper 40 m layer with respect to parameters in study was noted. Value of light absorption by phytoplankton normalized with respect to chlorophyll a was virtually independent of chlorophyll a concentration. A linear relationship between light absorption by phytoplankton and chlorophyll a concentration was established at the red spectral maximum. It is described by the equation y = 0.0153x; R**2 = 0.61. The average ratio of absorption values in the peaks was 2.29. Contribution of detritus to total light absorption at wavelength 440 nm was 23-62% regardless of depth and chlorophyll a concentration.