Regulation of seawater dissolved carbon pools by environmental changes in Ulva prolifera originating sites: A new perspective on the contribution of U. prolifera to the seawater carbon sink function.

ABSTRACT

The Ulva prolifera bloom is considered one of the most serious ecological disasters in the Yellow Sea in the past decade, forming a carbon sink in its source area within a short period but becoming a carbon source at its destination. To explore the effects of different environmental changes on seawater dissolved carbon pools faced by living U. prolifera in its originating area, U. prolifera were cultured in three sets with different light intensity (54, 108, and 162 µmol m-2 s-1), temperature (12, 20, and 28 °C) and nitrate concentration gradients (25, 50, and 100 µmol L-1). The results showed that moderate light (108 µmol m-2 s-1), temperature (20 °C), and continuous addition of exogenous nitrate significantly enhanced the absorption of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in seawater by U. prolifera and most promoted its growth. Under the most suitable environment, the changes in the seawater carbonate system were mainly dominated by biological production and denitrification, with less influence from aerobic respiration. Facing different environmental changes, U. prolifera continuously changed its carbon fixation mode according to tissue δ13C results, with the changes in the concentrations of various components of DIC in seawater, especially the fluctuation of HCO3- and CO2 concentrations. Enhanced light intensity of 108 µmol m-2 s-1 could shift the carbon fixation pathway of U. prolifera towards the C4 pathway compared to temperature and nitrate stimulation. Environmental conditions at the origin determined the amount of dissolved carbon fixed by U. prolifera. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the changes in marine environmental conditions at the origin of U. prolifera, providing a basis for scientific management of U. prolifera.