A possible CO2 leakage event: Can the marine microbial community be recovered?

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2017-04, Vol.117 (1-2), p.380-385
• Main Authors: Borrero-Santiago, A.R., Bautista-Chamizo, E., DelValls, T.Á., Riba, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon capture and storage; CO2 enrichment; Diversity; Marine bacteria; Recovery
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.027

Bacterial communities have been studied to a much lesser degree than macrofauna in the case of a CO2 release. The resistance capacity of marine bacteria is well known, but their possible responses and their ability to recover after a CO2 release has not been investigated. Therefore, this work evaluated the responses of a marine bacterial community after 96h of CO2 exposure under diverse pH treatments (7.8 as control without CO2, 7.0, 6.5, and 6.0) and 24h after CO2 exposure. Results showed that the respiration activity and the diversity of the community were affected in all pH treatments. However, after 24h without CO2 enrichment, the respiration activity and diversity increased, showing a partial recovery. Consequently, bacterial responses have the potential to be used as a monitoring tool for risk assessment related to carbon capture and storage techniques or in any similar CO2 enrichment situations. •The present article analyzes the potential effect of a CO2 enrichment event on marine bacterial community.•Respiratory activity and diversity of the community were affected after 96h of CO2 exposure.•After a period of 24h without CO2, the respiratory activity and diversity partially recovered.•Bacterial responses might be used as a tool for possible CO2 leakage during monitoring activities.