Algae pioneers in the Baltic Sea: New study sounds the alarm about climate change!

Algae pioneers in the Baltic Sea: New study sounds the alarm about climate change!

Phytoplankton, particularly the diatom species Skeletonema marinoi, plays a crucial role in the marine food web of the Baltic Sea and has a significant influence on the global climate through the production of oxygen and the binding of carbon. As part of the PHYTOARK project, an interdisciplinary research team has examined the genetic composition and diversity of this type of algae over the last 8,000 years. The results, published in the journal Global Change Biology, highlight the significant influence of human activities on the stability of algae populations. While the genetic patterns of diatoms remained constant over thousands of years, the last few centuries have shown drastic changes that correlate with human intervention uni-konstanz.de reported.

As part of the research-intensive study, sediment drilling was carried out at the bottom of the Baltic Sea in order to obtain genetic material. DNA remnants of diatoms dating back up to 8,000 years have been successfully extracted from sediment cores. This analysis is done by sequencing DNA from chloroplasts and mitochondria. The study showed that the genetic composition of these algae populations remained stable over long periods of time, apart from changes during extreme climate phases. In recent centuries, however, these changes have accelerated, which can be attributed to increased use of the Baltic Sea, shipping, coastal construction and nutrient input from agriculture.

Research details and objectives

The PHYTOARK research project, which started at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde at the beginning of May 2021, aims to investigate in detail the effects of climate change on biodiversity in the seas, especially that of phytoplankton in the Baltic Sea. It involves ten research institutions from Germany, Finland, Sweden and the USA, including the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center and the universities of Hamburg and Konstanz. The management is Dr. Anke Kremp, an experienced phytoplankton ecologist. The study is supported by the Leibniz Association with around 1 million euros over a period of three years senckenberg.de reported.

A fascinating aspect of the study is the methodology used, which combines paleoenvironmental research, experimental plankton ecology and ecosystem modeling. By analyzing environmental DNA from sediment samples, it becomes possible to create DNA time series that allow conclusions to be drawn about past environmental conditions such as salinity, oxygen and temperature. The aim is to reconstruct the phytoplankton communities of the Baltic Sea over different time periods and to research evolutionary adaptations to climate-related changes.

Climate protection and technological innovations

In addition to the studies mentioned, there is another important initiative at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel. A new AI lighthouse project called KIMMCO was launched here, which deals with natural climate protection in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to record the role of phytoplankton in climate protection more precisely. Although phytoplankton only make up 1-2% of plant biomass, they are responsible for almost 40% of global CO2 uptake geomar.de emphasized.

The KIMMCO project, which is funded with around 2.16 million euros, is led by Prof. Dr. Anja Engel leads and uses an innovative combination of sensor measurements, microscopic cameras and satellite-based remote sensing to provide real-time information about phytoplankton productivity and species composition. As part of the Federal Environment Ministry's Natural Climate Protection (ANK) action program, KIMMCO is intended to lay the foundations for international monitoring programs and environmental indicators.

These interdisciplinary research approaches show how important the conservation and understanding of marine biodiversity - especially phytoplankton - is for combating climate change and protecting the oceans. The impact of humans on natural systems is obvious and urgently requires sustainable and innovative solutions.