Diatoms are a major group of algae, and are among the most common types of phytoplankton.
Scientists working for NASA and for the Universities Space Research Association used satellite data from 1998 to 2012, and a computer model, to assess populations of phytoplankton. They found that the density of diatoms had decreased by 1.22% per year globally, with much of the decline happening in the North Pacific. The researchers attributed the decrease to less mixing in the uppermost water, perhaps caused by a decrease in wind.
"Phytoplankton need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, just like trees," said oceanographer and lead author Cecile Rousseaux, of Universities Space Research Association and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in cold ocean water. During a phytoplankton bloom, which can span hundreds of miles and be seen from space, the tiny organisms take up the dissolved CO2 and convert it to organic carbon -- a form that animals can use as food to grow, the essential base of the marine food web. Then when the phytoplankton cell dies, it sinks to the ocean floor, taking with it the carbon in its body.
Because they are larger than other types of phytoplankton, diatoms can sink more quickly than smaller types when they die. A portion will circulate back to the surface because of ocean currents, and, like fertilizer, fuel another phytoplankton bloom. But the rest will settle on the sea floor miles below, where they will accumulate in sediment and be stored for thousands or millions of years. The process is one of the long-term storage options for carbon removed from the atmosphere.
The decline in diatoms is one of several regional shifts observed in four types of phytoplankton in the 15-year study period.
TFA explains some of the implications of these findings, but also states "The diatom decline, while statistically significant, is not severe, said Rousseaux. But it is something to monitor in the future as ocean conditions change, whether due to natural variation or climate change."
(Score: 3, Insightful) by black6host on Friday September 25 2015, @10:32PM
It all adds up over time, folks.........
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 25 2015, @11:04PM
... i ate the bastards.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday September 25 2015, @11:24PM
Stop processing O2, people.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Friday September 25 2015, @11:37PM
Are the diatoms choking on plastic particles polluting the sea?
Why would they be dying off in the face of increased CO2? [timeforchange.org]
Why would there be less wind in the face of more frequent and more turbulent storms? [theclimatechangeclearinghouse.org]
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 1, Troll) by jmorris on Saturday September 26 2015, @01:17AM
Is it possible to research ANY subject in the natural sciences that doesn't have a tie-in to climate change in the grant proposal?
(Score: 3, Funny) by gznork26 on Saturday September 26 2015, @03:38AM
Come on, isn't anyone going make a reference to Soylent Green?
Khipu were Turing complete.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 26 2015, @11:22AM
Diatoms are dying? Fuck it. We gonna grow pentatoms. Fuck you and your research papers - put them shit at the toilet so I can wipe my ass with it.
(Score: 2) by Username on Saturday September 26 2015, @04:33PM
Guess we need to start polluting the oceans with cow manure.