Benthic foraminifera under elevated CO2 conditions

• Applicant: Dr. Joachim Schönfeld
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2010 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178174835

The proposed study will focus on living benthic foraminifera at elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We will investigate foraminifera from shallow waters of marginal seas where the impact of ocean acidification will be felt first. The objectives of our proposed study are the individual responses of benthic foraminifera to high CO2 concentrations, the ensuing impact on the composition and population density of shallow-water foraminiferal assemblages, and the expected changes of benthic foraminiferal carbonate production. Culturing experiments will be performed with single specimens of boreal and tropical Ammonia species and living assemblages from the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Paria. The calcification rates of Ammonia at different partial pressures of CO2 and reduced carbonate ion concentrations will be determined and changes of the associated fauna will be monitored over one year. The experimental results will allow to establish critical thresholds for the growth and survival of Ammonia species in acidified marginal seas. The data will also facilitate scaling of the expected changes in foraminiferal carbonate production at rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants