AEI-DFG Pelagic calcification: from biomineralization to global implications

• Applicants: Dr. Nina Keul; Dr. Gernot Nehrke
• Subject Area: Oceanography
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 541693727

Biomineralization, the production of minerals by living organisms, is of central importance for many organisms across the phylogenetic tree. Marine calcium carbonate producers (calcifiers) are of particular interest because their calcium carbonate shells are not only of importance for their eco-physiology and evolution, but also for global biogeochemical cycles such as the carbon cycle. Another important aspect of marine calcification is the formation of a sedimentary record going back millions of years. The species composition as well as the chemical composition of shells in this record have been used extensively to reconstruct past environmental and biological parameters such as temperature and productivity. The most important marine calcifiers are the planktic coccolithophores, foraminifera, and pteropods. All three groups of calcifiers are threatened by anthropogenic climate change, in particular ocean acidification and warming. Therefore, the performance of these organisms in a changing climate has become a major concern, not only for scientists but also for policy makers. A prediction of the fate of planktic calcifiers has been hampered by an insufficient understanding of their calcification processes as well as their performance across natural gradients in environmental parameters. BONITOS will bring together expertise in both areas of research and will a) answer long-standing questions about calcification processes in planktic species b) establish similarities / differences in calcification and its susceptibility to environmental change between the most important groups of planktic calcifiers c) provide a solid basis for understanding the past and predicting the future of marine calcification and its impact on biogeochemical cycles We will employ a cross-disciplinary approach and combine experimental and field studies, backed up by a meta-analysis of literature data. The BONITOS team has a strong track record in this field of research and will work together on the following work-packages: WP1. Response to climate change: how diverse are planktic calcification processes? WP 2. What is known about similarities / differences between calcification processes, carbonate budget and production in coccolithophores, foraminifera and pteropods?: a meta-analysis WP 3. Addressing carbonate budget, production, surface water dissolution mechanisms of the three selected planktic calcifying groups. The combination of laboratory and field studies on all three major planktic calcifiers is a novel approach that will be instrumental in any future effort to understand the eco-physiology, evolution, and biogeochemistry of these key organisms.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Spain
• Partner Organisation: Agencia Estatal de Investigación
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Dr. Patrizia Ziveri