Photosynthesis-induced phosphate precipitation in seawater: ecological implications for phytoplankton

Abstract

respectively Photosynthesis (in gross terms, CO 2 + H 2 O CH 2 O + O 2 ) removes CO 2 from the TIC system, yet many algal species also utilise HCO 3 -as a source of CO 2 Because biological carbon fixation can be faster than the association-dissociation reactions between CO 2 and carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3 ) and between CO 2 and HCO 3 -, photosynthesis disturbs the TIC buffer system, resulting in lower TIC concentration, higher O 2 concentration, elevated pH and a skewing of the buffer system towards CO 3 2 -