Impact of elevated levels of CO2 on animal mediated ecosystem function: The modification of sediment nutrient fluxes by burrowing urchins

A mesocosm experiment was conducted to quantify the relationships between the presence and body size of two burrowing heart urchins (Brissopsis lyrifera and Echinocardium cordatum) and rates of sediment nutrient flux. Furthermore, the impact of seawater acidification on these relationships was determined during this 40-day exposure experiment. Using carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, seawater was acidified to pHNBS 7.6, 7.2 or 6.8. Control treatments were maintained in natural seawater (pH = 8.0). Under normocapnic conditions, burrowing urchins were seen to reduce the sediment uptake of nitrite or nitrate whilst enhancing the release of silicate and phosphate. In acidified (hypercapnic) treatments, the biological control of biogeochemical cycles by urchins was significantly affected, probably through the combined impacts of high CO2 on nitrifying bacteria, benthic algae and urchin behaviour. This study highlights the importance of considering biological interactions when predicting the consequences of seawater acidification on ecosystem function.

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Cite this as

Widdicombe, Stephen, Beesley, A, Berge, J A, Dashfield, S L, McNeill, C L, Needham, H R, Øxnevad, S (2013). Dataset: Impact of elevated levels of CO2 on animal mediated ecosystem function: The modification of sediment nutrient fluxes by burrowing urchins. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.833188

DOI retrieved: 2013

Additional Info

Field Value
Imported on November 29, 2024
Last update November 30, 2024
License CC-BY-3.0
Source https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.833188
Author Widdicombe, Stephen
Given Name Stephen
Family Name Widdicombe
More Authors
Beesley, A
Berge, J A
Dashfield, S L
McNeill, C L
Needham, H R
Øxnevad, S
Source Creation 2013
Publication Year 2013
Resource Type text/tab-separated-values - filename: Widdicombe_2013
Subject Areas
Name: BiologicalClassification

Name: Biosphere

Name: Chemistry

Name: Ecology

Name: Oceans

Related Identifiers
Title: Impact of elevated levels of CO2 on animal mediated ecosystem function: The modification of sediment nutrient fluxes by burrowing urchins
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.11.008
Type: DOI
Relation: IsSupplementTo
Year: 2013
Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin
Authors: Widdicombe Stephen , Beesley A , Berge J A , Dashfield S L , McNeill C L , Needham H R , Øxnevad S .

Title: seacarb: seawater carbonate chemistry with R. R package version 3.0
Identifier: https://cran.r-project.org/package=seacarb
Type: DOI
Relation: References
Year: 2014
Authors: Lavigne Héloïse , Epitalon Jean-Marie , Gattuso Jean-Pierre .