To disclose the impact of different CO2 concentrations (270 x 10(-6), 380 x 10(-6), 750 x 10(-6)) on physiological features of spring phytoplankton, an in situ simulated experiment was carried out in Meiliang Bay of Taihu Lake from 29 April to 26 May in 2012. The results showed that atmospheric CO2 elevation would significantly alter the pH value and carbonate chemical environments of Taihu Lake, resulting in weakening the advantages of carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton in Taihu Lake tended to use more dissolved CO2 (CO2, aq) due to the deliberate CO2 sequestration under the high CO2 level treatment. When atmospheric CO2 concentration doubles at the end of century, the maximum growth rate constant of phytoplankton (U(max)), NPP, chlorophyll a (Chl-a)-specific NPP would increase by 63.1%, 69.6% and 33.8%, respectively. Atmospheric CO2 elevation promoted the maximum photosynthetic efficiency of chlorophyta and bacillariophyta in Taihu Lake and its promotion effect on bacillariophyta was more notable than that on chlorophyta. However, it did not change the photosynthetic efficiency of cyanobacteria which was very low in spring. Meanwhile, the stoichiometry value of phytoplankton changed significantly due to the CO2 elevation, as phytoplankton cells assimilated more C and N, but less P under the treatment of high CO2 level. Our results indicated the enhanced CO2 level could dramatically change the physiological features of phytoplankton. This information would help us to understand and predict the response of phytoplankton in Taihu Lake to the future climate change.
Atmosphere Carbon Dioxide