Unique laboratory experiment shows rapid evolutionary
adaptation to ocean acidification and warming
The single most important calcifying algae of the world’s
oceans is able to simultaneously adapt to rising water temperatures and ocean
acidification through evolution. A unique long-term experiment with the species
Emiliania huxleyi at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel shows that
the evolutionary potential of the algae is much greater than previously
thought. In their laboratory evolution experiment, the scientists have shown
for the first time that evolutionary adaptations to multiple stress factors do
not necessarily interfere with each other. Further work will reveal how
evolution in ocean microbes may affect the function of the ocean in removing
carbon dioxide to the deep sea and whether or not laboratory findings can be
translated into the natural ocean environment.