Calcification and transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) production in batch cultures of Emiliania huxleyi exposed to different pCO2

Ehux growth, calcification and related processes are sensitive to changes in initial pCO2. Our results show that the development of the Ehux cultures is delayed with increasing initial pCO2. TEP accumulate until the end of the experiment and are enhanced after nutrient exhaustion. TEP contribute significantly to POC concentrations after the exponential growth phase. The very good correlation between TEP and calcite concentrations suggests that the calcification acts as a potential source of TEP in coccolithophore blooms. Finally, an Ωcalcite of 3 seems to be necessary for Ehux to calcify