The objectives of our research project are to document historical changes in
the assemblage composition and habitat depth of calcareous planktonic
organisms in relation to changes in the physical and chemical parameters and
stratification of the surface ocean due to recent global warming. Changes in
the size, weight, chemical, and isotopic composition of carbonate shells are
to be assessed. The main focus of the investigation is on planktonic
foraminifers and pteropods.
Foraminiferal shell loss in the Flensburg Fjord (SW Baltic Sea). Living benthic communities under the risk due to acidification?
Dr. rer. nat. Irina Polovodova, Prof. Dr. Michael Spindler, (pens.), Prof. Dr. Frank Melzner
Förderer:
Exzellenzcluster "Ozean der Zukunft"
Mitwirkende Institutionen:
Universität Kiel, Institut für Polar Ökologie
Laufzeit:
1.2.2009 - 30.11.2009
Inhalt und Ziele:
This project aims to better constrain the factors influencing carbonate
saturation and foraminiferal shell loss in sediments and to establish the reaction
of the foraminifer Ammonia beccarii to different pCO2 in seawater. For these
purposes seasonal changes in pH, total alkalinity and foraminiferal communities
are to be monitored over the year 2009. Specimens of A. beccarii will be
cultured to determine their growth rates under different pCO2, and to establish
the critical thresholds for calcification, reproduction and growth.