The KOSMOS Team is back in Espeland

A new experiment with the KOSMOS mesocosms at Raunefjord addresses key questions about the impacts of ocean acidification on the food web and biogeochemical cycling. For the field study, a group of 35 students and more experienced scientists are living and working at the Espeland Marine Biology Station until July. The participants of the experiment coordinated by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel blog about their work at www.oceanblogs.org/kosmos2015.

From tiny pico-phytoplankton to fish and larger marine life: A complex community with all its interrelationships and global functions may get out of balance if the ocean’s acidity keeps increasing through the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. While the chemical reactions are well understood, important new questions about their impacts on the marine ecosystem as well as their economic and social consequences arise.

To answer these questions, a team of scientists set out to the Raunefjord in Bergen (Norway). Using the KOSMOS mesocosms (KOSMOS: Kiel Offshore Mesocosms for Future Ocean Simulations), they examine an essential section of the ecosystem: The eight experimental constructions floating in the fjord enclose a natural plankton community in their 20-meter-long plastic bags. In four of the isolated worlds the carbon dioxide level is gradually increased. Until the end of June, the scientists collect and analyze water samples almost daily, measure physical and chemical parameters and document the development of the plankton community. “With more than 50 parameters measured throughout the experiment, we can put together a comprehensive picture of the responses of the enclosed community to ocean acidification”, explains Prof. Dr. Ulf Riebesell, professor of Biological Oceanography at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and coordinator of the KOSMOS experiments. “This will allow us to make the connection from organism responses to food web and biogeochemical implications and from short-term reactions to evolutionary adaptation.”

“The Espegrend Marine Biology Station is a perfect base for mesocosm work on changes in Atlantic waters. The ocean is close by, but our experimental structures are nicely sheltered by the islands”, Riebesell points out. “The station itself offers all we need: the boats, the laboratories, the lecture hall and accomodation for such a large group - plus a lot of helping hands. With nearly 20 tonnes of mesocosm equipment and additional 14 tonnes of lab equipment, the KOSMOS team travels like a little circus. But now we are happily settled and enjoy working under excellent conditions.”

E. Huxleyi seems to be adapting 

For the first time, individuals of the world's most important single-celled calcifying alga Emiliania huxleyi that have adapted to more acidified conditions in the laboratory are introduced to the mesocosms. This unicellular organism plays a crucial role for the transport of carbon to the deep ocean – and thus for its ability to store carbon and mitigate climate change. Also, these calcifying algae produce the climate-cooling gas dimethylsulphide (DMS). “In laboratory experiments with isolated species, we could show that Emiliania huxleyi is able to adapt to both ocean acidification and rising water temperatures through evolution”, says Dr. Kai Lohbeck from GEOMAR.

On the other hand, a previous KOSMOS study in the Raunefjord brought the surprising result that Emiliania huxleyi could no longer prevail in the food web at more acidified conditions. “In this field experiment, we will examine whether the adaptation in the laboratory serves as an competitive advantage even under natural conditions and whether this allows the algae to maintain their ecological niche in an acidifying ocean.”

Working together - students through researchers 

In order to offer a hands-on training to the next generation of young scientists, five Master's thesises are embedded in the study. With the help of experienced researchers, graduates investigate the development of pteropods and herring larvae under changing environmental conditions, assess whether pico-phytoplankton adapts through evolution and determine the food quality available to higher trophic levels in the future. In addition, 15 students from Kiel University are involved in the work at the Marine Biological Station “Espeland” of Bergen University. “The cross-cutting approach of the KOSMOS studies gives the students a unique chance to place their own investigations in a larger context and to better understand their results”, Riebesell points out. “Working as a team and living closely together at the research station also make the special appeal of these studies.”

For regular updates on the KOSMOS 2015 experiment at Espeland, please follow the blog at www.oceanblogs.org/kosmos2015.

Upcoming guest lecture

In his Hjort Guest Lecture, Prof. Ulf Riebesell from GEOMAR gives a brief overview of the present state of knowledge about ocean acidification, highlights some deficits in our understanding, show some results of previous KOSMOS studies and outline the objectives of the on-going mesocosm campaign.

The lecture will be held at VilVite (Thormøhlens gate 51), Auditoriumet. June 11, 2015, 14:15 - 15:00