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Phytoplankton growth after a century of dormancy illuminates past resilience to catastrophic darkness

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  • Sofia Ribeiro

    (Marine Biological Section, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2D
    Unidade de Geologia Marinha, LNEG, Estrada da Portela, Zambujal, Apartado 7586
    Centro de Oceanografia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande)

  • Terje Berge

    (Marine Biological Section, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2D)

  • Nina Lundholm

    (Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Sølvgade 83 Opg S)

  • Thorbjørn J. Andersen

    (University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10)

  • Fátima Abrantes

    (Unidade de Geologia Marinha, LNEG, Estrada da Portela, Zambujal, Apartado 7586)

  • Marianne Ellegaard

    (Marine Biological Section, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2D)

Abstract

Photosynthesis evolved in the oceans more than 3 billion years ago and has persisted throughout all major extinction events in Earth's history. The most recent of such events is linked to an abrupt collapse of primary production due to darkness following the Chicxulub asteroid impact 65.5 million years ago. Coastal phytoplankton groups (particularly dinoflagellates and diatoms) appear to have been resilient to this biotic crisis, but the reason for their high survival rates is still unknown. Here we show that the growth performance of dinoflagellate cells germinated from resting stages is unaffected by up to a century of dormancy. Our results clearly indicate that phytoplankton resting stages can endure periods of darkness far exceeding those estimated for the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction and may effectively aid the rapid resurgence of primary production in coastal areas after events of prolonged photosynthesis shut-down.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Ribeiro & Terje Berge & Nina Lundholm & Thorbjørn J. Andersen & Fátima Abrantes & Marianne Ellegaard, 2011. "Phytoplankton growth after a century of dormancy illuminates past resilience to catastrophic darkness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1314
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1314
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    Cited by:

    1. Rolando Cardenas & Noel Perez & Jesus Martinez-Frias & Osmel Martin, 2014. "On the Habitability of Aquaplanets," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-10, August.

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