Laboratory mesocosm studies on the response and potential effects of marine diatom Nitzschia sp. to Ocean acidification

Abstract

Present study was carried out to know the response and effects of Ocean acidification in the growth of diatom Nitzschia sp. and its biochemical constituent’s viz. protein, lipid and carbohydrate. Ocean acidification is one of the most well-known ocean perturbations. Diatoms are non calcifiers they were able to survive and grow without their cell wall (frustules) was being disrupted by the acidified medium. Increase in photosynthetic activity and growth rate have been observed with increase in CO2 activity. Biochemical profile of diatom showed high protein (4.8 µg/ml), high lipid (14%) whereas lower carbohydrate content (0.68 µg/ml) in acidified medium when compared with control group. Thus, atmospheric CO2 increase could potentially promote phytoplankton productivity and diatoms grown in the acidified cultures were capable of compensating the pH change and they survived showing high productive results.