US EPA

3941463 

Journal Article 

Eutrophication and warming-driven green tides (Ulva rigida) are predicted to increase under future climate change scenarios 

Gao, G; Clare, AS; Rose, C; Caldwell, GS 

2017 

1 

Marine Pollution Bulletin
ISSN: 0025-326X
EISSN: 1879-3363 

114 

1 

439-447 

English 

27733288 

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.003 

WOS:000392768900058 

The incidence and severity of extraordinary macroalgae blooms (green tides) are increasing. Here, climate change (ocean warming and acidification) impacts on life history and biochemical responses of a causative green tide species, Ulva rigida, were investigated under combinations of pH (7.95, 7.55, corresponding to lower and higher pCO2), temperature (14, 18°C) and nitrate availability (6 and 150μmolL(-1)). The higher temperature accelerated the onset and magnitude of gamete settlement. Any two factor combination promoted germination and accelerated growth in young plants. The higher temperature increased reproduction, which increased further in combination with elevated pCO2 or nitrate. Reproductive success was highest (64.4±5.1%) when the upper limits of all three variables were combined. Biochemically, more protein and lipid but less carbohydrate were synthesized under higher temperature and nitrate conditions. These results suggest that climate change may cause more severe green tides, particularly when eutrophication cannot be effectively controlled.