Low sensitivity of a heavily-calcified coccolithophore under increasing CO<sub>2</sub>: the case study of <em>Helicosphaera carteri</em>

Bianco, Stefania; Bordiga, Manuela; Langer, Gerald; Ziveri, Patrizia; Cerino, Federica; Di Giulio, Andrea Stefano; Lupi, Claudia

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2681

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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2681

Preprints

09 Oct 2024

| 09 Oct 2024

Low sensitivity of a heavily-calcified coccolithophore under increasing CO₂: the case study of Helicosphaera carteri

Stefania Bianco, Manuela Bordiga, Gerald Langer, Patrizia Ziveri, Federica Cerino, Andrea Stefano Di Giulio, and Claudia Lupi

Abstract. Studies on CO₂ effects on coccolithophores, unicellular calcifying phytoplankton, show species-specific responses, although only less than 5 % of the ~280 living species have been tested so far. Helicosphaera carteri significantly contributes to carbon fluxes and CaCO₃ storage due to its size and high calcite production. Despite its importance, few studies have examined H. carteri under experimental conditions, and only one has addressed the effects of rising CO₂/decreasing pH. Being H. carteri a large-sized, obligated calcifier species, an important aspect to understand is how changes in seawater carbonate chemistry may affect its morphology. It has already been suggested for other coccolithophores species, that the presence of malformed coccoliths may represent a disadvantage for these organisms. Moreover, an alteration in coccolith morphology may affect their contribution to CaCO₃ sedimentation and ballasting. As for H. carteri, it has also been suggested that due to its high PIC:POC ratio, the species could show a high-sensitivity to CO₂ rise. In this study, we investigate for the first time whether high pCO₂/low pH does affect the morphology of H. carteri coccoliths, by culturing this species under pre-industrial CO₂ levels (~295 µatm) and ~600 µatm, i.e., the SSP 2-4.5 scenario for 2100 (IPCC, 2021). We also analyzed cellular PIC and POC quotas using morphometric data, roundness, and protoplast and coccosphere size to observe the pCO₂ influence on the calcification and photosynthesis ratio.

Our results indicate that H. carteri morphology is only slightly affected by increasing CO₂, in contrast to other heavily calcified species. Helicosphaera carteri protoplast and coccosphere shapes did not vary with changes in CO₂, indicating unaltered general health. The low PIC:POC ratio found in this work for H. carteri compared to ratios previously measured in the same strain under different experimental conditions, and compared to other highly-calcified species, could explain the observed low sensitivity of H. carteri to CO₂. Moreover, the observation of a stable ratio between calcification and photosynthesis in H. carteri under increasing CO₂ might suggest a constant contribution to the rain ratio under climate change. However, further studies comparing experimental and field data from past ocean acidification events will be required to confirm the conclusions drawn here.

Received: 27 Aug 2024 – Discussion started: 09 Oct 2024

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Stefania Bianco, Manuela Bordiga, Gerald Langer, Patrizia Ziveri, Federica Cerino, Andrea Stefano Di Giulio, and Claudia Lupi

Status: final response (author comments only)

RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2681', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Nov 2024

The aim of the study is worthwhile, as it focuses on a relatively understudied coccolithophore (compared to model species such as Emiliania/Gephyrocapsa huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica). The authors investigated whether elevated pCO₂ impacts Helicosphaera carteri, assessing coccolith morphology and particulate inorganic and organic carbon (PIC and PIC, respectively). The authors claim that the results of this study suggest that H. carteri may have a constant contribution to the rain ratio under ocean acidification.

However, there are major weaknesses in how the data is presented and interpreted (or not used in the discussion) that lead me to recommend that this version of the manuscript be rejected.

First, the authors only include the impact of pCO₂ levels in the interpretation of the data, excluding the rest of the carbonate chemistry data presented in Table 1. Since coccolithophores are particularly dependent on carbonate chemistry, this oversight significantly detracts from the rest of the manuscript. See comments in Discussion for more details.

Second, the authors do not accurately represent the results of statistical analyses on a number of occasions in the Results. There are also occasions where a sentence contradicts a previous statement. This needs to be corrected. See comments in Results section for specifics.

Lastly, the authors use figures/tables that present the same data repeatedly. This does not add evidence to support their interpretation of the data. It would be better for the authors to choose which figure/table best presents the data and eliminate the other.

The attached PDF has more detailed comments.

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2681-RC1

AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Stefania Bianco, 13 Dec 2024

Overall

The aim of the study is worthwhile, as it focuses on a relatively understudied coccolithophore (compared to model species such as Emiliania/Gephyrocapsa huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica). The authors investigated whether elevated pCO₂ impacts Helicosphaera carteri, assessing coccolith morphology and particulate inorganic and organic carbon (PIC and PIC, respectively). The authors claim that the results of this study suggest that H. carteri may have a constant contribution to the rain ratio under ocean acidification.

However, there are major weaknesses in how the data is presented and interpreted (or not used in the discussion) that lead me to recommend that this version of the manuscript be rejected.

REPLY: We appreciate the reviewer’s generally positive assessment of our study and acknowledge that there are shortcomings in interpretation and presentation of the data. The reviewer identifies three main points which we address briefly here (for detailed replies see below).

REPLY: We did not mean to suggest that we identify CO₂ as the parameter of the C-system affecting H. carteri. We merely used CO₂ as a stand-in for the C-system, because we use a so-called coupled C-system. We are grateful for pointing out our misleading phrasing. We clarified this point and have briefly discussed which parameter of the C-system might be the dominant influence on coccolithophores.

REPLY: We fixed the statistical issues and have resolved contradicting statements.

REPLY: We present data in a slightly redundant way (same data in figure and table) in order to increase readability. We believe that the wide readership of Biogeosciences will appreciate this choice since it considerably facilitates access to central information for the non-specialist.

Abstract

Line 23-25: The authors state “In this study...whether high pCO₂/low pH does affect the morphology of H. carteri coccoliths...”. But again, a central weakness of the manuscript is that the results and discussion only focus on the pCO₂, ignoring the rest of the carbonate chemistry.

REPLY: In the abstract we use pCO₂ as a stand-in parameter for correlated parameters (pH, CO₃^2-) for better readability. We agree with the reviewer in so far that other parameters of the C-system could affect coccolithophores. This question is an interesting one but not within the scope of our study. We, however, agree that a brief discussion of this question does improve the manuscript and have therefore added the following to the Discussion section (see also reply to comments below):

NEW TEXT (INSERT AFTER LINE 260: “Here we will briefly discuss an issue that distinguishes C-system experiments from other standard culture experiments, namely the fact that the C-system is not one single parameter but multiple (see Table 1), as opposed to experiments studying the effects of temperature for instance. Different methods for changing the C-system are available, i.e. DIC manipulation, TA manipulation, and combined TA-DIC manipulation (Hoppe et al., 2011; Langer and Bode, 2011). Only the latter method allows for an identification of the parameter of the C-system affecting organisms (Langer and Bode, 2011). Very few studies have used this method, and it was found that CO₂ and pH are parameters of the C-system that affect coccolithophores in typical OA studies (Bach et al., 2011; Langer and Bode, 2011). Here we used DIC manipulation resulting in a so-called coupled C-system, as opposed to the decoupled C-system obtainable only in combined TA-DIC manipulation experiments. A coupled C-system features correlations between pH, CO₂, and CO₃^2-. It is therefore not possible to distinguish e.g. pH and CO₂ effects. Please note that when we discuss “CO₂ effects” we do not literally mean CO₂ effects but coupled C-system effects. We have decided to use the shorthand “CO₂ effects” because it is common in the literature to do so. Using the strictly correct expression C-system effects has the disadvantage of decreasing readability substantially because a typical phrasing such as “C-system increase/decrease” does not make sense, whereas it does make sense if a single parameter is used as a stand-in for the whole C-system.”

Introduction

There are some word choice and grammatical issues, but overall, the introduction does a good job providing the rationale for the experiments.

REPLY: We appreciate the reviewer’s positive assessment of the Introduction. We fixed the grammatical issues.

Materials and Methods

Carbonate chemistry:

DIC levels decreased under elevated CO₂. To better replicate OA conditions, wouldn’t it be better for DIC levels to remain similar (or even increase) under elevated CO₂ compared to the control CO₂ condition?

REPLY: We agree with the reviewer in so far that OA conditions do not feature decreased DIC concentrations. However, DIC is not the parameter of the C-system affecting coccolithophores in typical OA studies (Bach et al., 2011; Langer and Bode, 2011). Under DIC concentrations below ca 1000uM, DIC and/or bicarbonate ion concentration might play a role too (Buitenhuis 1999). In our experiment the lowest DIC is ca 1400 uM and the highest ca 1700 uM. Within this range in DIC, the difference of ca 300uM between treatments does not produce measurable effects. The parameters of the C-system that will have affected H. carteri most likely are either pH or CO₂ (Bach et al., 2011; Langer and Bode, 2011); a possible but unlikely candidate is carbonate ion concentration. All three parameters fall within the range of typical OA studies (e.g. Bach et al., 2011; Hoppe et al., 2011; Langer et al., 2009; Langer and Bode, 2011; Milner et al., 2016; Zondervan et al., 2002). Therefore, our experimental setup is suitable for our purpose.

Table 1: This should be in the results. The atmospheric CO₂ levels influence the carbonate chemistry, which can impact coccolith morphology. In addition, the standard deviation for pH is given. What is the error for the variables (DIC, TA, etc...)? This results here are underutilized throughout the rest of the manuscript.

REPLY: We now give the standard deviation for all C-system parameters in Table 1. As stated above we now also discuss the potential impact of C-system parameters other than CO₂ in the Discussion section:

NEW TEXT: see reply to comment on Line 23-25

Parameter	Exp. 295	Exp. 600
CO₂ (µatm)	294.56	601.5
SD	17.84	59.74
CO₂ (µmol/kg)	9.78	19.94
SD	0.59	1.98
HCO₃^- (µmol/kg)	1413.49	1213.70
SD	106.02	144.50
CO₃^2- (µmol/kg)	141.44	51.72
SD	16.62	13.38
DIC (µmol/kg)	1677.50	1374.72
SD	140.87	142.03
TA (mmol/kg⁻¹)	1853.82	1452.54
SD	166.93	146.41
pH NBS	8.18	7.81
SD	0.025	0.064
Ω calcite	3.38	1.24
SD	0.40	0.32

Table 1. Parameters of the carbonate system. In black are the values obtained from the CO2SYS program; in bold are the average values directly measured in duplicates per each replica of both the experiments. The average pH values are derived from the whole data collected in continuum along the experiments (pH standard deviation 0.01). SD= standard deviation.

These results here are underutilized throughout the rest of the manuscript.

Minor:

Be sure to include the manufacturer info for each instrument.

REPLY: We now include the manufacturer info.

Why not directly measure PIC and POC?

REPLY: Both geometrical and chemical analyses of PIC and POC are established methods (Langer et al., 2009, Milner et al., 2016; Rosas-Navarro et al., 2018). A direct comparison of these two methods shows that both are equally applicable in coccolithophore studies (Rosas-Navarro et al., 2018).

Results

Lines 199-205: The authors state that there was a “slight change in the proportion of malformed coccoliths ~295 and 600 μatm of CO₂” (Line 199). This is not supported by the data presented. The average ± standard deviation percentage of malformed coccoliths are not different between the 295 and 600 μatm CO₂ treatments [other statistics (e.g., unpaired t-tests) are not provided]. The authors can still highlight the high variability of malformed coccoliths in the 600 μatm CO₂ treatment.

REPLY: We agree with the conclusion that there is no statistically significant change in the percentage of malformed coccoliths. We now include the unpaired t-test (p value=0.1815).

The text has been adjusted as follows, also following the indications of Reviewer 2.

OLD TEXT: “The analyses at the SEM revealed a slight change in the proportion of malformed coccoliths moving from ~295 to 600 μatm of CO₂. Indeed, while at the lower pCO₂, the species shows almost no malformations (0.66%), an increase in the percentage of malformed coccoliths is observed in the second treatment, where the normal coccoliths account for an average of 89.35% (Table 2, Fig. 2). The percentage of malformed coccoliths at 600 μatm is characterized by a high standard deviation (SD), suggesting a relatively high variability among the triplicates. On the contrary, at 295 μatm, SD is quite low in all the considered categories, reflecting a greater degree of consistency between the samples compared to 600 μatm (Table 2).”

NEW TEXT: “The analyses at the SEM revealed a non-significant change (t-test p value >0.05) in the proportion of malformed coccoliths moving from ~295 to 600 µatm of CO₂. However, while at the lower pCO₂, the species shows almost no malformations (0.66±0.58%) in the second treatment the malformed coccoliths account for an average of 10.65±10.82% (Table 2, Fig. 2). The percentage of malformed coccoliths at 600 μatm is characterized by a high standard deviation (SD), suggesting a relatively high variability among the triplicates. On the contrary, at 295 μatm, SD is quite low in all the considered categories, reflecting a greater degree of consistency between the samples compared to 600 μatm (Table 2).”

Figure 2: The data presented here are misleading with the standard deviation not depicted, which would show overlap between the two CO₂ treatments. Additionally, these data are already presented in Table 2. It is unnecessary to show the same data in a Table and a Figure. The authors should decide which presentation of the data is best for the manuscript.

REPLY: We agree with the reviewer in so far that stacked bar plots do not allow for error bars and are therefore less informative than scatter plots or tables. Since we also agree that standard deviations are needed, we included them in the Table. For reasons of readability, however, we decided to provide a figure that allows for quick access to data. We realize that this is technically redundant, but we feel that the readers of Biogeosciences, being a diverse readership, will appreciate this choice.

Line 205-207: The authors state that “All coccosphere were intact” but then use the next two sentences to mention the small number of collapsed coccospheres detected. This is contradictory. These lines should be edited to resolve this contradiction.

REPLY: We amended the text to resolve this contradiction:

NEW TEXT: “None of the observed samples showed extremely malformed coccoliths. A rough estimation of the number of collapsed coccospheres per sample indicated a percentage far below 1%. Therefore, a specific count for this category was not performed, because it is not meaningful.”

Lines 220-225: The authors state there are changes in cellular POC, cellular PIC, and PIC/POC, but then state that the changes are not statistically significant. This is contradictory. Just state that there was no significant difference between the two CO₂ treatments. Also, remove the methods for the unpaired t-tests. It is already in the Materials and Methods.

REPLY: We now state that there is no significant difference and we removed the methods for the unpaired t-tests.

The text has been adjusted as follows:

“Cellular POC returns an average of 108.14±5.42 pg cell-1 at 295 µatm and 118.51±6.41 pg cell^-1 at 600 µatm of CO₂. The unpaired t-test indicates that moving from the lowest to the highest CO₂ level, the cellular POC does not change significantly (t-test p value>0.05; Table 3). A non-significant change is also observed in cellular PIC and in the PIC:POC ratio, showing an average value of 150.66±1.59 pg cell^-1 (t-test p value>0.05; Table 3) and of 1.32±0.07, respectively (t-test p value >0.05; Table 3).”

Table 3 has been adjusted as follows:

CO₂ [µatm]		295	600	p value
PIC [pg cell^-1]	Mean	151.86	149.47	0.7755
	SD	4.23	9.49
POC [pg cell^-1]	Mean	108.14	118.51	0.1000
	SD	5.42	6.41
PIC:POC		1.37	1.27	0.09595
	SD	0.072	0.013

Table 3. Data of H. carteri cellular PIC and POC and PIC:POC obtained from geometry data. Values reported are averages of the replicates. SD = standard deviation.

Line 227-8: What are the units? Include the units for the values.

REPLY: The values are derived from the ratio between the major and minor axes of the protoplast/coccosphere (µm/µm). Since the unit of both factors is the same, we did not think it was necessary to specify it. However, we have now updated the text and included the unit of measurement.

NEW TEXT:

Lines 226-228: “Helicosphaera carteri protoplast (0.90±0.06 µm/µm) and coccosphere (0.89±0.05 µm/µm) roundness does not show any significant variation with increasing CO₂ (t-test p value>0.05), indicating the maintenance of a constant shape at different CO₂ levels (Fig. 3 a, b; Appendix A Table A1).”

Line 229-232: Again, the authors use “a non-significant change” instead of stating that ‘no change/difference was detected’ between protoplast and coccolith size.

REPLY: The text has been adjusted as follows:

“No changes have been detected for protoplast (11.63 ±0.26 µm; t-test p value>0.05; Fig. 3c; Appendix A Table A1) and coccosphere size (18.05 ±0.18 µm; t-test p value>0.05; Fig. 3d; Appendix A Table A1).”

I recommend adjusting how data are presented in the text by changing specific references to the following format: ‘average±SD (t-test p-value<X; Table X)’.

REPLY: The data have are now presented as suggested

Discussion

Major comments:

The authors only include the impact of atmospheric CO₂ levels in the interpretation of the data, excluding the rest of the carbonate chemistry data presented in Table 1. Coccolithophores require HCO₃^- as a substrate for calcification. The authors show a drop in pH and [HCO₃^- ] when CO₂ increased from 295 to 600 μatm (Table 1), but do not include these variables when interpreting the data. This leads to an incomplete interpretation of the data. What about the lower pH? Is it possible that the variability in malformed coccoliths at 600 μatm CO₂ is due to the combination of lower pH (unfavorable for calcite precipitation), lower HCO₃^- concentration (substrate for calcification), and Omega > 1 (calcite formation still slightly favored)?

REPLY: We acknowledge that C-system parameters other than CO₂ can influence coccolithophore calcification and physiology more generally. We agree with the reviewer that the Discussion will benefit from an amendment including this topic, and have therefore added the text quoted below. We will, however, emphasize that our dataset is not suited to identify the parameter of the C-system causing potential effects. Briefly, the reason is that our C-system manipulation is a so-called DIC manipulation resulting in a coupled C-system. To identify the parameter causing adverse effects a combined TA/DIC manipulation and the resultant decoupled C-system is required (Kaczmarek et al., 2015; Keul et al., 2013; Langer and Bode, 2011). Another important point is that our C-system manipulation did not cause any changes in morphology, morphometry, and PIC/POC. For that reason alone, identifying a parameter causing changes is not possible. As for the potential effect of lower DIC at the 600 µatm CO₂ treatment, please see our reply above (in the comments to the Methods section).

NEW TEXT: see reply to comment on Line 23-25

Some line-by-line comments:

Line 254-255: This statement is not true. See comments on Results for details.

REPLY: Correct.

The text now reads: “In this work, for the first time, we show that the percentage of malformed coccoliths in H. carteri does not change in a significant way moving from 295 to 600 µatm CO₂.”

Line 266-274: I don’t understand the point of Lines 266-270.

REPLY: We clarified this point. The text formerly in Line 266-277 now reads:

NEW TEXT: “The comparison of malformations in different strains/species at one single CO₂ level is instructive but not sufficient to assess C-system effects. Malformations in coccolithophores vary both between strains/species and over time in a single strain under constant environmental conditions (Langer et al., 2009, 2013; Langer and Benner, 2009). A better assessment of C-system effects on coccolithophores is achieved when comparing trends of different experiments rather than absolute values of different experiments (Hoppe et al., 2011). Such a comparison clearly suggests species specific responses to CO₂, identifying more/less sensitive species”.

Line 272: “...the negative effect of carbonate chemistry”. This phrase does not make sense.

REPLY: The phrasing has been changed (see reply to previous comment).

Line 275-276: “the effect of proton inhibition” The authors do not present any data on protons (e.g., pH) from the previous work cited.

REPLY: The phrasing has been changed (see reply to previous comment).

Line 278-279: “less sensitive to acidification” The authors did not include any carbonate chemistry data (aside from atmospheric CO₂) when referencing coccolith malformation documented throughout the literature. It is inappropriate to make a claim about sensitivity to acidification without showing the relevant acidification data.

REPLY: We clarified this point. See reply to the comment on the abstract.

Figure 4: What about the pH in the other experiments? And other carbonate chemistry parameters (i.e., HCO₃^-, CO₃^2-, DIC, etc...)? It is difficult to interpret comparisons when only CO₂ μatm is included since the carbonate chemistry of the growth medium can varying based on the buffering capacity in seawater.

REPLY: We now discuss the issues related to different C-system parameters. See reply to the comment on the abstract.

Figure 4b-c: Is this just showing the data from panel a) again?

REPLY: Figure 4a presents the data on the percentages of malformed and normal coccoliths in more detail (e.g., slightly malformed, malformed, fragmented), while Figures 4b and c show the overall difference in the percentages of malformed coccoliths in a simpler way.

Figure 5: What were the other relevant conditions in the other study, aside from pCO₂?

REPLY: The other study also used a coupled C-system so that results are directly comparable to our study (see also reply to the comment on the abstract).

The rest of the Discussion focuses on comparing the findings in the manuscript to previous work. This section will need to be revised accordingly after the issues identified throughout the manuscript are resolved.

REPLY: We resolved the issues and revised the Discussion (see above).

Note for the editor:

While checking the manuscript we noticed an error in the Section 4.1 (Malformations in H. carteri in response to CO₂ increase) related to the strain B92/11 of E. huxleyi. In the figure, and consequently in the discussion, the wrong data for E. huxleyi B92/11 had been included. The data in Figure 4a, b, c have therefore been corrected, along with the corresponding text.

The new text has been modified to fix this error as well as it takes into account the comments from reviewer 2.

We have fixed the text and figure as follows:

Lines 261-279: OLD TEXT: “When considering responses to CO₂ levels close to 600 μatm, the percentages of malformed coccoliths in E. huxleyi (RCC1238 and RCC1256) are lower than H. carteri (Fig. 4a, c). In contrast, the heavily calcified species C. leptoporus (RCC1168) and C. quadriperforatus (RCC1141) consistently show a higher percentage of malformed coccoliths compared to H. carteri (~90%, Fig. 4a, c). It is interesting to note that these percentages also include a significant amount of extremely malformed coccoliths (89% for C. quadriperforatus RCC1141, and 46% for C. leptoporus RCC1168; Fig. 4a). This degree of malformation has never been observed in our experiments. Since biological parameters such as coccolith morphology undergo numerical changes over time (Langer et al., 2013), the assessment of species sensitivity should not be based on the morphology of different strains or species at one CO₂ level alone, but rather the change of morphology in response to a change in CO₂ (Hoppe et al., 2011). For example, the species E. huxleyi strain B92/11 shows varying percentages of malformations across a narrow range of CO₂ levels, illustrating this observation (Fig. 4a, b). On the other hand, at ca. 600 μatm CO₂Calcidiscus displays more malformations than at 295 μatm of CO₂ (Fig. 4c), and the reason for this is most likely that the negative effect of carbonate chemistry is almost invisible at ca. 300 μatm CO₂. Using the reasoning of Bach et al. (2015), we would say that at 300 μatm of CO₂ neither substrate limitation nor proton inhibition play a significant role, and the malformations depend on other experimental conditions.

On the contrary, at ca. 600 μatm CO₂ the effect of proton inhibition becomes visible in Calcidiscus compared to Emiliania and Helicosphaera. Therefore, the conclusion suggested by the morphology distribution in Fig. 4 is confirmed when comparing relative changes between experiments (Fig. 4b, c; Diner et al., 2015; Hoppe et al., 2011; Langer et al., 2006, 2011; Langer and Bode, 2011). We are thus confident in saying that the strains RCC1238 and RCC1256 of E. huxleyi and RCC1323 of H. carteri are less sensitive to acidification than Calcidiscus.”

NEW TEXT: “When considering responses to CO₂ levels close to 600 µatm, the percentages of malformed coccoliths in E. huxleyi (RCC1238 and RCC1256) are lower than H. carteri (Fig. 4a, c). In contrast, E. huxleyi (B92/11) and the heavily calcified species C. leptoporus (RCC1168) and C. quadriperforatus (RCC1141) consistently show a higher percentage of malformed coccoliths compared to H. carteri (~60-90%, Fig. 4a, c). The comparison of malformations in different strains/species at one single CO₂ level is instructive but not sufficient to assess C-system effects. Malformations in coccolithophores vary both between strains/species and over time in a single strain under constant environmental conditions (Langer et al., 2009; 2013; Langer and Benner, 2009). A better assessment of C-system effects on coccolithophores is achieved when comparing trends of different experiments rather than absolute values of different experiments (Hoppe et al., 2011). Such a comparison clearly suggests species specific responses to CO₂, identifying more/less sensitive species (Fig. 4b, c; Diner et al., 2015; Hoppe et al., 2011; Langer et al., 2006, 2011; Langer and Bode, 2011). We are thus confident in saying that the strains RCC1238 and RCC1256 of E. huxleyi and RCC1323 of H. carteri are less sensitive to acidification than E. huxleyi B92/11 and Calcidiscus.”

The figure (see supplement file "figure 4-modified") has been adjusted accordingly and also in line with the suggestions provided by Reviewer 2.

References

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Milner, S., Langer, G., Grelaud, M., and Ziveri, P.: Ocean warming modulates the effects of acidification on Emiliania huxleyi calcification and sinking, Limnol. Oceanogr., 61, 1322–1336, https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10292, 2016.

Rosas-Navarro, A., Langer, G., and Ziveri, P.: Temperature effects on sinking velocity of different Emiliania huxleyi strains, PLoS One, 13, e0194386, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194386, 2018.

Zondervan, I., Rost, B., and Riebesell, U.: Effect of CO2 concentration on the PIC/POC ratio in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi grown under light-limiting conditions and different daylengths, J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 272, 55–70, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0981(02)00037-0, 2002.

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2681-AC1

RC2:
'Comment on egusphere-2024-2681', Anonymous Referee #2, 30 Nov 2024

The researchers Sthephania Bianco and colleagues evaluate the response of the coccolithophore species Helicosphaera carteri to changes in CO₂ concentrations using laboratory manipulation experiments. A single strain was cultivated under pre-industrial CO₂ levels according to the IPCC SSP 2-4.5 scenario for 2100. Results reveal limited changes in POC and PIC production, as well as, in coccolith morphology, under future CO₂ levels. Based on these results, authors conclude that this species will most likely not experience substantial changes in its performance under a high-CO₂ scenario expected by the end of the century.
A large body of evidence indicates that projected changes in marine carbonate chemistry driven by human activities will be detrimental for coccolithophore perfomance. Given their abundance and fundamental role in the biological and carbonate pumps, changes in coccolithophore abundance, composition and/or degree of calcification will most likely have impacts on the oceanic carbon cycle and marine ecosystems. Therefore, there is an urgent need for studies like this one to evaluate how changes in CO₂ concentration will affect keystone marine organisms and ecosystems. This is particularly important for large coccolithophore species, which, despite their relatively low abundance, play a major role in the carbon cycle. Given the limited existing information about the response of H. carteri to CO₂ changes, I consider the information provided in this paper valuable and worth publishing.
Overall, the manuscript is reasonably well written, the results are valuable, the figures are appropriate, and the interpretation of the data will be useful for the scientific community. Therefore, I recommend acceptance of this manuscript after the comments listed below are implemented (moderate revision).
Specific comments
Line 29 “…unaltered general health”. Please rephrase this sentence avoiding the use of the term health.
Line 40 “…different species is required”.
As mentioned later on in the manuscript, even different responses within strains and varieties of the same species have been documented. So please, include this nuance here in the introduction.
Lines 55-57. This data are valuable but somewhat missleading. For E. huxleyi values are provided in pg of Calcite (i.e. CaCO3) while for H. carteri the units are different (pg of Carbon). Could authors provide the data in the same units to facilitate comparison between both species? this would facilitate direct comparison between species.
Lines 57. Including a general description of the ecology of this species here (or somewhere in the introduction) together with a description of the geographical distribution of this species would be helpful. This information would allow the reader to better understand the relevance of this species on a global context.
Line 80. Please provide information about the locality from which strain RCC1323 was retrieved.
Line 144. Could authors provide the magnification used for the analysis? What is the error of these measurements?
Line 201. This sentence could be clearer if authors provide % of malformed coccoliths for both treatments. It is a bit confusing to use the percentage of malformed coccoliths in the first part of the sentence and the normal coccoliths in the second part.
Lines 208-209. In the previous paragraph you used the past tense and the present in this one. Please revise the verb tense.
Lines 220 – 222. Please include information about the changes in POC and PIC in the experiment in the abstract.
Line 243. Müller et al. (2015) could be cited here as well.
Line 265. Some authors consider this species a sub-species (https://www.mikrotax.org/Nannotax3/index.php?taxon=Calcidiscus%20leptoporus%20subsp.%20quadriperforatus&module=ntax_cenozoic). Please, clarify this point in the text.
Lines 272-274. This sentence is not clear enough. Somewhere in the text, authors should provide background information explaining the underlying reasons of the production of malformed coccoliths. As it is written now, this sentence assumes the reader already know the mechanisms behind this change.
Figure 4. Could authors include a legend with the names of the species on the side or at least indicate between brackets the colour used for the different species?. The non-specialized reader won't be able to differentiate the species based on their coccosphere.
Line 308. The symbol used for the diameter is different than the one used in the first sentence of this paragraph of this section.
Line 321. Could authors explain better this sentence "…the obligate calcifier-nature of the genus Heliscosphaera"
Line 332. Can authors provide an explanation for the different sensitivity of coccolithophore species based on the PI:POC ratio?
Lines 333-334. Can authors provide examples of species with high PIC:POC ratio as well? Please also provide an explanation somewhere in the discussion about the underlying reasons of the different sensitivity to ocean acidification of coccolithophore species with low and high PIC:POC ration.

References
Müller, M.N., Trull, T.W., Hallegraeff, G.M., 2015. Differing responses of three Southern Ocean Emiliania huxleyi ecotypes to changing seawater carbonate chemistry. Marine Ecology Progress Series 531, 81-90.

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2681-RC2
- AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Stefania Bianco, 13 Dec 2024
  
  The researchers Sthephania Bianco and colleagues evaluate the response of the coccolithophore species Helicosphaera carteri to changes in CO₂ concentrations using laboratory manipulation experiments. A single strain was cultivated under pre-industrial CO₂ levels according to the IPCC SSP 2-4.5 scenario for 2100. Results reveal limited changes in POC and PIC production, as well as, in coccolith morphology, under future CO₂ levels. Based on these results, authors conclude that this species will most likely not experience substantial changes in its performance under a high-CO₂ scenario expected by the end of the century.
  A large body of evidence indicates that projected changes in marine carbonate chemistry driven by human activities will be detrimental for coccolithophore perfomance. Given their abundance and fundamental role in the biological and carbonate pumps, changes in coccolithophore abundance, composition and/or degree of calcification will most likely have impacts on the oceanic carbon cycle and marine ecosystems. Therefore, there is an urgent need for studies like this one to evaluate how changes in CO₂ concentration will affect keystone marine organisms and ecosystems. This is particularly important for large coccolithophore species, which, despite their relatively low abundance, play a major role in the carbon cycle. Given the limited existing information about the response of H. carteri to CO₂ changes, I consider the information provided in this paper valuable and worth publishing.
  Overall, the manuscript is reasonably well written, the results are valuable, the figures are appropriate, and the interpretation of the data will be useful for the scientific community. Therefore, I recommend acceptance of this manuscript after the comments listed below are implemented (moderate revision).
  REPLY: We appreciate the reviewer’s positive evaluation of our manuscript.
  
  Specific comments
  Line 29 “…unaltered general health”. Please rephrase this sentence avoiding the use of the term health.
  REPLY: The sentence now reads: “… unaltered physiological state”.
  
  Line 40 “…different species is required”.
  As mentioned later on in the manuscript, even different responses within strains and varieties of the same species have been documented. So please, include this nuance here in the introduction.
  REPLY: we have added this nuance. The sentence now reads: “…different species, and even strains (Langer et al., 2009), is required”.
  
  Lines 55-57. This data are valuable but somewhat missleading. For E. huxleyi values are provided in pg of Calcite (i.e. CaCO₃) while for H. carteri the units are different (pg of Carbon). Could authors provide the data in the same units to facilitate comparison between both species? this would facilitate direct comparison between species.
  REPLY: we converted all units to [pg C].
  
  Lines 57. Including a general description of the ecology of this species here (or somewhere in the introduction) together with a description of the geographical distribution of this species would be helpful. This information would allow the reader to better understand the relevance of this species on a global context.
  REPLY: We have added the following: “Helicosphaera carteri is generally considered to be a species typical of warm waters (e.g., Baumann et al., 2005; Brand, 1994), with moderately high-nutrient levels (e.g., Andruleit and Rogalla, 2002; Findlay and Giraudeau, 2000, 2002; Ziveri et al., 1995, 2004). However, it has a general wide distribution (as reported in the CASCADE database; de Vries et al., 2024) and it seems to be an opportunistic species, easily adaptable to different environmental conditions (Dimiza et al., 2015 and references therein). This adaptability of H. carteri is confirmed by its long fossil record, spanning back more than 20 Million years (Aubry, 1988; Young, 1998).”
  
  Line 80. Please provide information about the locality from which strain RCC1323 was retrieved.
  REPLY: The information was added.
  
  Line 144. Could authors provide the magnification used for the analysis? What is the error of these measurements?
  REPLY: The magnification and the error are added.
  The text has been changed as follows:
  Lines 143-146: Coccosphere size (∅), aspect ratio (AR_coccosphere) and roundness (RD_coccosphere) data were obtained by photographing more than 50 coccospheres per each replicate using an inverted microscope Leica CMS-D35578 at 400x magnification and a Leica Camera Ltd CH-9435. The images were processed with ImageJ software (Rueden et al., 2017; Appendix A Fig. A1) using a customized macro (https://github.com/mbordiga/Coccoliths).
  
  The estimated standard error of the mean are 0.1219 for ∅, 0.006119 for AR_coccosphere and 0.004549 for RD_coccosphere at 295 µatm; while at 600µatm are: for 0.1233 ∅, 0.006399 for AR_coccosphere and 0.004781 for RD_coccosphere.”
  
  Line 201. This sentence could be clearer if authors provide % of malformed coccoliths for both treatments. It is a bit confusing to use the percentage of malformed coccoliths in the first part of the sentence and the normal coccoliths in the second part.
  REPLY: We have adjusted the sentence as follows and following the indications of Reviewer 1. The sentence now reads: “…in the second treatment the malformed coccoliths account for an average of 10.65±10.82% (Table 2, Fig. 2).”
  
  Lines 208-209. In the previous paragraph you used the past tense and the present in this one. Please revise the verb tense.
  REPLY: Done.
  
  Lines 220 – 222. Please include information about the changes in POC and PIC in the experiment in the abstract.
  REPLY: We added the following to the abstract:
  NEW TEXT: Lines 27-29: “Our results indicate that H. carteri morphology is not significantly affected by increasing CO₂, in contrast to other heavily calcified species. Helicosphaera carteri protoplast and coccosphere shapes did not vary with changes in CO₂, as did its particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) quotas, as well as the PIC:POC ratio, indicating unaltered general physiological state.”
  
  Line 243. Müller et al. (2015) could be cited here as well.
  REPLY: citation added.
  
  Line 265. Some authors consider this species a sub-species (https://www.mikrotax.org/Nannotax3/index.php?taxon=Calcidiscus%20leptoporus%20subsp.%20quadriperforatus&module=ntax_cenozoic). Please, clarify this point in the text.
  REPLY: RCC1141 is C. leptoporus according to the RCC website (https://roscoff-culture-collection.org/rcc-strain-details/1141). We corrected this mistake.
  We added the following:
  NEW TEXT: “Today C. leptoporus and C. quadriperforatus are mostly considered separate species (https://roscoff-culture-collection.org/rcc-strain-details/1141), although some authors prefer to consider quadriperforatus a sub-species (https://www.mikrotax.org/; Young et al., 2022). For a detailed discussion of the taxonomical status of Calcidiscus see Geisen et al. (2004).”
  
  Lines 272-274. This sentence is not clear enough. Somewhere in the text, authors should provide background information explaining the underlying reasons of the production of malformed coccoliths. As it is written now, this sentence assumes the reader already know the mechanisms behind this change.
  REPLY: We clarified this point. Reviewer 1 also criticised this part. We have restructured the argument to make the point clear. The text formerly in Line 266-277 now reads:
  NEW TEXT: “The comparison of malformations in different strains/species at one single CO₂ level is instructive but not sufficient to assess C-system effects. Malformations in coccolithophores vary both between strains/species and over time in a single strain under constant environmental conditions (Langer et al., 2009, 2013; Langer and Benner, 2009). A better assessment of C-system effects on coccolithophores is achieved when comparing trends of different experiments rather than absolute values of different experiments (Hoppe et al., 2011). Such a comparison clearly suggests species specific responses to CO₂, identifying more/less sensitive species”.
  
  Figure 4. Could authors include a legend with the names of the species on the side or at least indicate between brackets the colour used for the different species?. The non-specialized reader won't be able to differentiate the species based on their coccosphere.
  REPLY: Good point. We added a colour code legend.
  The figure has been adjusted as follows: see the attached file
  
  Line 308. The symbol used for the diameter is different from the one used in the first sentence of this paragraph of this section.
  REPLY: We now use only one symbol for the diameter.
  
  Line 321. Could authors explain better this sentence "…the obligate calcifier-nature of the genus Heliscosphaera"
  REPLY: We added the following after the sentence quoted by the reviewer:
  NEW TEXT: “Some coccolithophores such as Coccolithus braarudii are obligate calcifiers, i.e. they need to calcify, whereas others such as Emiliania huxleyi are facultative calcifiers, i.e. they do not necessarily need to calcify (Walker et al., 2018). As per our own observation, and the extensive observational record available at the RCC Roscoff (https://roscoff-culture-collection.org/; I. Probert, personal communication) H. carteri is an obligate calcifier which might imply a stable PIC/POC ratio because a complete coccosphere is essential for survival (Šupraha & Henderiks, 2020; Walker et al., 2018)”
  
  Line 332. Can authors provide an explanation for the different sensitivity of coccolithophore species based on the PI:POC ratio?
  REPLY: We added the following explanation.
  “OLD TEXT… and Umbilicosphaera sibogae (0.62; Gafar et al., 2019b).
  NEW TEXT: “The latter authors hypothesize that a high PIC/POC ratio produces a high cellular proton load that is particularly harmful under Ocean Acidification conditions. More recently a cellular mechanism underpinning the hypothesis of Gafar et al. (2019b) was proposed (Kottmeier et al., 2022). This cellular mechanism involves Hv-type plasma-membrane proton channels which close under Ocean Acidification conditions therewith preventing proton export out of the cell with cytosolic acidification ensuing.
  OLD TEXT: The low sensitivity of species with lower PIC:POC…“.
  
  Lines 333-334. Can authors provide examples of species with high PIC:POC ratio as well? Please also provide an explanation somewhere in the discussion about the underlying reasons of the different sensitivity to ocean acidification of coccolithophore species with low and high PIC:POC ratio.
  REPLY: We added examples of high PIC/POC species. As for an explanation of differential sensitivities to OA see reply to previous comment.
  OLD TEXT (Line 333): “… species with a higher PIC:POC ratio… NEW TEXT: such as C. leptoporus (2.08) and G. oceanica (1.25)… OLD TEXT: … should be more sensitive…”.
  
  References
  Andruleit, H. and Rogalla, U.: Coccolithophores in surface sediments of the Arabian Sea in relation to environmental gradients in surface waters, Marine Geology, 186, 505–526, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-3227(02)00312-2, 2002.
  Aubry, M.-P.: Phylogeny of the Cenozoic calcareous nannoplankton genus Helicosphaera, Paleobiology, 14, 64–80, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0094837300011805, 1988.
  Baumann, K.-H., Andruleit, H., Böckel, B., Geisen, M., and Kinkel, H.: The significance of extant coccolithophores as indicators of ocean water masses, surface water temperature, and palaeoproductivity: a review, Paläontol. Z., 79, 93–112, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03021756, 2005.
  Brand, L. E. (1994). Physiological ecology of marine coccolithophores. Coccolithophores, 39-50.
  De Vries, J., Poulton, A. J., Young, J. R., Monteiro, F. M., Sheward, R. M., Johnson, R., Hagino, K., Ziveri, P., and Wolf, L. J.: CASCADE: Dataset of extant coccolithophore size, carbon content and global distribution, Sci Data, 11, 920, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03724-z, 2024.
  Dimiza, M. D., Triantaphyllou, M. V., & Malinverno, E.: New evidence for the ecology of Helicosphaera carteri in polluted coastal environments (Elefsis Bay, Saronikos Gulf, Greece). Journal of Nannoplankton Research, 34, 37-43, 2014.
  Findlay, C. S. and Giraudeau, J.: Extant calcareous nannoplankton in the Australian Sector of the Southern Ocean (austral summers 1994 and 1995), Marine Micropaleontology, 40, 417–439, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8398(00)00046-3, 2000.
  Findlay, C. S. and Giraudeau, J.: Movement of oceanic fronts south of Australia during the last 10 ka: interpretation of calcareous nannoplankton in surface sediments from the Southern Ocean, Marine Micropaleontology, 46, 431–444, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8398(02)00084-1, 2002.
  Geisen, M., Young, J. R., Probert, I., Sáez, A. G., Baumann, K.-H., Sprengel, C., Bollmann, J., Cros, L., De Vargas, C., and Medlin, L. K.: Species level variation in coccolithophores, in: Coccolithophores, edited by: Thierstein, H. R. and Young, J. R., Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, 327–366, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06278-4_13, 2004.
  Langer, G. and Benner, I.: Effect of elevated nitrate concentration on calcification in Emiliania huxleyi ., J. Nannoplankton Res., 30, 77–82, https://doi.org/10.58998/jnr2158, 2009.
  Mikrotax Project, "CASCADE Dataset Viewer for Helicosphaera carteri," available at: https://www.mikrotax.org/system/CASCADE/CASCdatasets.php?dataset_id=%25&taxon=helicosphaera+carteri&basemap=Gplatesbathymetry&scale=1, last access: 3 December 2024.
  Müller, M., Trull, T., and Hallegraeff, G.: Differing responses of three Southern Ocean Emiliania huxleyi ecotypes to changing seawater carbonate chemistry, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 531, 81–90, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11309, 2015.
  Roscoff Culture Collection, available at: https://roscoff-culture-collection.org/rcc-strain-details/1141, last access: 5 December 2024.
  Roscoff Culture Collection, available at: https://roscoff-culture-collection.org/, last access: 3 December 2024; I. Probert, personal communication.
  Young, J. R.: Neogene, in: Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy, edited by: Bown, P. R., Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht, 225–265, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4902-0_8, 1998.
  Young, J.R., Bown, P.R., Lees, J.A., 2022. Nannotax3 website. International Nannoplankton Association. Accessed 1 December 2024. URL: www.mikrotax.org/Nannotax3. last access: 3 December 2024.
  Ziveri, P., Baumann, K.-H., Bockel, B., Bollmann, J., & Young, J. (2004). Present-day coccolithophore biogeography in the Atlantic Ocean. Coccolithophores: From Molecular Processes to Global Impact, edited by H. Thierstein & J. Young, Springer Verlag, pp. 403–428. ISBN: 978-3-662-06278-4.
  Ziveri, P., Thunell, R. C., and Rio, D.: Export production of coccolithophores in an upwelling region: Results from San Pedro Basin, Southern California Borderlands, Marine Micropaleontology, 24, 335–358, https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-8398(94)00017-H, 1995.
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2681-AC2

Stefania Bianco, Manuela Bordiga, Gerald Langer, Patrizia Ziveri, Federica Cerino, Andrea Stefano Di Giulio, and Claudia Lupi

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Short summary

This work focuses on the response in culture experiments to increasing CO₂ of the coccolithophore species Helicosphaera carteri, a unicellular marine calcifying microalgae. A slight increase in coccolith (calcite scales covering the cell) malformations without variation in size, shape or calcification-to-photosynthesis ratio is indicative of H. carteri low sensitivity to CO₂ rise together with its ability to maintain a stable contribution to the marine rain ratio under future climate changes.


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Low sensitivity of a heavily-calcified coccolithophore under increasing CO2: the case study of Helicosphaera carteri

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Low sensitivity of a heavily-calcified coccolithophore under increasing CO₂: the case study of Helicosphaera carteri