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Related: About this forumSweeping Change in Phytoplankton Populations Could Remake Oceans
Sweeping Change in Phytoplankton Populations Could Remake Oceans
As Earths atmosphere warms, so does the ocean. Scientists have demonstrated how rising ocean temperatures and carbon dioxide levels can stress marine organisms. But a new model developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reveals a surprising conclusion: If global temperature trends continue, by the end of this century half the population of phytoplankton that existed in any given ocean at the beginning of the century will have disappeared and been replaced by entirely new plankton species. Thats going to have impacts up the food chain, says Stephanie Dutkiewicz, principle research scientist at M.I.T.s Program in Atmospheres, Oceans and Climate.
Rising temperatures will force all kinds of sea creatures to adjust. Tiny phytoplankton, a major food source for fish and other sea creatures, could perish as temperatures rise in an ocean region. Most at risk are the organisms in the coldest waters, which lack the resilience to adapt to warmer homes. In theory, the phytoplankton could evolve to alter their body chemistry or they could migrate elsewhere, perhaps closer to the poles. Either way, such immense change may leave species higher up the food chain unable to feed themselves.
The new model does not specify precisely how phytoplankton will respond or which fish populations might flourish or flounder, but it is sufficiently detailed to indicate that the new ocean conditions will likely lead to widespread replacement of the phytoplankton now in place. Dutkiewiczs model accounts for 100 different phytoplankton species whereas most other models include just three or four. With such finer resolution, Dutkiewicz says, we can see how significantly ecosystem structures will change.
The results depict a complex picture. As the temperature rises, many phytoplankton produce more offspring. But less mixing occurs between deep cold waters and warm surface watersa phenomenon known as stratification. Most nutrients that phytoplankton rely on well up from the deep, so less mixing means less sustenance for the microorganisms. Oceans at low latitudesalready considered the deserts of the seawill provide even fewer nutrients for microorganisms, leaving even less food for the fish that feed on them.
As Earths atmosphere warms, so does the ocean. Scientists have demonstrated how rising ocean temperatures and carbon dioxide levels can stress marine organisms. But a new model developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reveals a surprising conclusion: If global temperature trends continue, by the end of this century half the population of phytoplankton that existed in any given ocean at the beginning of the century will have disappeared and been replaced by entirely new plankton species. Thats going to have impacts up the food chain, says Stephanie Dutkiewicz, principle research scientist at M.I.T.s Program in Atmospheres, Oceans and Climate.
Rising temperatures will force all kinds of sea creatures to adjust. Tiny phytoplankton, a major food source for fish and other sea creatures, could perish as temperatures rise in an ocean region. Most at risk are the organisms in the coldest waters, which lack the resilience to adapt to warmer homes. In theory, the phytoplankton could evolve to alter their body chemistry or they could migrate elsewhere, perhaps closer to the poles. Either way, such immense change may leave species higher up the food chain unable to feed themselves.
The new model does not specify precisely how phytoplankton will respond or which fish populations might flourish or flounder, but it is sufficiently detailed to indicate that the new ocean conditions will likely lead to widespread replacement of the phytoplankton now in place. Dutkiewiczs model accounts for 100 different phytoplankton species whereas most other models include just three or four. With such finer resolution, Dutkiewicz says, we can see how significantly ecosystem structures will change.
The results depict a complex picture. As the temperature rises, many phytoplankton produce more offspring. But less mixing occurs between deep cold waters and warm surface watersa phenomenon known as stratification. Most nutrients that phytoplankton rely on well up from the deep, so less mixing means less sustenance for the microorganisms. Oceans at low latitudesalready considered the deserts of the seawill provide even fewer nutrients for microorganisms, leaving even less food for the fish that feed on them.
On this planet, we obey the Law of Unintended Consequences!
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Sweeping Change in Phytoplankton Populations Could Remake Oceans (Original Post)
GliderGuider
Aug 2013
OP
phantom power
(25,966 posts)1. I admit I'd prefer to keep the regular old oceans
with the regular old phytoplankton.
hatrack
(59,578 posts)2. Freedumb will prevail, as we are the One Essential Nation, Exceptional by Nature . . .
Designated by Gaw-duh to serve as a Shining City On The Hill, a beacon of Freedumb and automobiles, Clappers and Kardashians, NASCAR and Honey Boo-Boo and iPhones.
Hence, the trivial concerns of eco-Whackos (Oxygen? Fish? Pfft.) will not deflect us from our Divinely Ordained Role.