An unreplicated, six-level dose-response experiment was conducted using 650 L incubation tanks (minicosms) adjusted to fugacity of carbon dioxide (fCO2) from 343 to 11641 uatm. The minicosms were filled with near-shore water from Prydz Bay, East Antarctica and the protistan composition and abundance was determined by microscopy analysis of samples collected during the 18 day incubation. Abundant taxa with low variance were examined separately, but rare taxa with high variance were combined into functional groups (descriptions below). Cluster analyses and ordinations were performed on Bray-Curtis resemblance matrixes formed from square-root transformated abundance data. This transformation was assessed as appropriate for reducing the influence of abundance species, as judged from a one-to-one relationship between observed dissimilarities and ordination distances (ie. Shepard diagram, not shown). The Bray-Curtis metric was used as it is recommended for ecological data due to its treatment of joint absences (ie. these do not contribute towards similarity), and giving more weight to abundant taxa rather than rare taxa. The data days 1 to 8 and then days 8 to 18 were analysed separately to distinguish community structure in the acclimation period and in the exponential growth phase during the incubation period of the experiment. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analyses, based on the Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix, was performed using group-average linkage. Significantly different clusters of samples were determined using SIMPROF (similarity profile permutations method) with an alpha value of 0.05 and based on 1000 permutations. An unconstrained ordination by non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) was performed on the resemblance matrix with a primary (`weak') treatment of ties. This was repeated over 50 random starts to ensure a globally optimal solution according to . Clusters are displayed in the nMDS using colour. Weighted average of sample scores are shown in the nMDS to show the approximate contribution of each species to each sample. The assumption of a linear trend for predictors within the ordination was checked for each covariate, and in all instances was found to be justified. A constrained canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP) was conducted according to the Vegan protocol using the Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix. This analysis was used to assess the significance of the environmental covariates, or constraints, in determining the microbial community structure. Unlike the nMDS ordination, the CAP analysis uses the resemblance matrix to partition the total variance in the community composition into unconstrained and constrained components, with the latter comprising only the variation that can be attributed to the constraining variables, fCO2, Si, P and NOx. Random reassignment of sample resemblance was performed over 199 permutations to compute the pseudo-F statistic as a measure of significance of each environmental constraint in the structural change of the microbial community. A forward selection strategy was used to choose a minimum subset of significant constraints that still account for the majority of the variation within the microbial community. All analysis were performed using R v1.0.136 and the add-on package vegan v2.4-2. Protistan taxa and functional group descriptions and abbreviations: Autotrophic Dinoflagellate (AD) - including Gymnodinium sp., Heterocapsa and other unidentified autotrophic dinoflagellates Bicosta antennigera (Ba) Chaetoceros (Cha) - mainly Chaetoceros castracanei and Chaetoceros tortissimus but also other Chaetoceros present including C. aequatorialis var antarcticus, C. cf. criophilus, C. curvisetus, C. dichaeta, C. flexuosus, C. neogracilis, C. simplex Choanoflagellates (except Bicosta) (Cho) - mainly Diaphanoeca multiannulata but also Parvicorbicula circularis and Parvicorbicula socialis present in low numbers Ciliates (Cil) - mostly cf. Strombidium but other ciliates

A meta-analysis was undertaken to examine the vulnerability of Antarctic marine biota occupying waters south of 60 degrees S to ocean acidification. Comprehensive database searches were conducted to compile all English language, peer-reviewed journals articles and literature reviews that investigated the effect of altered seawater carbonate chemistry on Southern Ocean and/or Antarctic marine organisms. A document detailing the methods used to collect these data is included in the download file.

This metadata record is the parent umbrella under which data from the 2008/09, 2013/14 and 2014/15 summer will be housed. See the child records for access to the data. Manmade CO2 has increased ocean acidity by 30% and it is projected to rise 300% by 2100. Antarctic waters will be amongst the earliest and most severely affected by this increase. Microbes are the base of the marine food chain and primary drivers of the biological pump. This project will incubate natural communities of Antarctic marine microbes in minicosms at a range of CO2 concentrations to quantify changes in their structure and function, the physiological responses that drive these changes, and provide input to models that predict effects on biogeochemical cycles and Antarctic food webs

Three experiments were performed at Davis Station, East Antarctica, 77 degrees 58' E, 68 degrees 35' S to determine the effects of ocean acidification on natural assemblages of Antarctica marine microbes (bacteria, viruses, phytoplankton and protozoa). Incubation tanks (6 * 650 L minicosms) were filled on the 30/12/08, 20/01/09 and 09/02/09 with sea water that was filtered through 200 microns mesh to remove metazoan grazers. The pH of each tank was adjusted by adding calculated amounts of CO2 saturated sea water. Treatment concentrations were maintained daily and microbial communities incubated for up to 12 days. The three experiments spanned early-, mid- and late-summer, with CO2 treatments ranging from pre-industrial to post-2100. The Excel spreadsheet contains 3 tabs: Experiment 1 - Early Summer Experiment 2 - Mid Summer Experiment 3 - Late Summer Within each tab there are measurements for: pCO2, dissolved inorganic carbon, Pmax, alpha, Ek, chl a, gross primary production (14C), bacterial production (14C), cell-specific bacterial productivity, bacterial abundance, dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, heterotrophic nanoflagellates, nitrate+nitrite, phosphate, silicate, ammonium, net community production, respiration, gross primary production (O2), photosynthesis:respiration ratios. Units for each measurement supplied within. Please see the following paper for interpretation of this data: Westwood, K.J., Thomson, P.G., van den Enden, R., Maher, L., Wright, S.W., Davidson, A.T. (2018). Ocean acidification impacts primary and bacterial production in Antarctic coastal waters during austral summer. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 498: 46-60, doi: 10.1016/j.jembe.2017.11.003.

The data reports the pigment concentrations and results of CHEMTAX analysis for 2 summer seasons in Antarctic. In 2008/09 three experiments in which 6 x 650 l minicosms (polythene tanks) were used to incubate natural microbial communities (less than 200 um diameter) at a range of CO2 concentrations while maintained at constant light, temperature and mixing. The communities were pumped from ice-free water ~60 m offshore on 30/12/08, 20/01/09 and 09/02/09. These experiments received no acclimation to CO2 treatment. A further experiment was performed in 2014/15 using water helicoptered from ~ 1 km offshore amongst decomposing fast ice on 19/11/14. This experiment included a 5 day period during which the community was exposed top low light and the CO2 was gradually raised to the target value for each tank, followed by a two day period when the light was raised to an irradiance that was saturating but not inhibitory for photosynthesis. A range of coincident measurements were performed to quantify the structure and function of the microbial community (see Davidson et al. 2016 Mar Ecol Prog Ser 552: 93–113, doi: 10.3354/meps11742 and Thomson et al 2016 Mar Ecol Prog Ser 554: 51–69, 2016, doi: 10.3354/meps11803). The data provides a matrix of samples against component pigment concentration and the output from CHEMTAX that best explained the phytoplankton composition of the community based on the ratios of the component pigments. For the 2008/09 experiments, samples were obtained every 2 days for 10, 12 and 10 days in experiments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In 2014/15 samples were obtained from each incubation tank on days 1,3, 5, and 8 during th acclimation period and every 2 days until day 18 thereafter. For each sample a measured volume was filtered through 13 mm Whatman GF/F filters for 20 mins. Filters were folded in half, blotted dry, and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen for analysis in Australia. Pigments were extracted, analysed by HPLC, and quantified following the methods of Wright et al. (2010). Pigments (including Chl a) were extracted from filters with 300 micro l dimethylformamide plus 50 micro l methanol, containing 140 ng apo-8'-carotenal (Fluka) internal standard, followed by bead beating and centrifugation to separate the extract from particulate matter. Extracts (125 micro l) were diluted to 80% with water and analysed on a Waters HPLC using a Waters Symmetry C8 column and a Waters 996 photodiode array detector. Pigments were identified by comparing retention times and spectra to a mixed standard sample from known cultures (Jeffrey and Wright, 1997), run daily before samples. Peak integrations were performed using Waters Empower software, checked manually for corrections, and quantified using the internal standard method (Mantoura and Repeta, 1997).

Metadata record for data from AAS (ASAC) project 3046. Public The overall objective is to characterise the response of Southern Ocean calcareous zooplankton to ocean acidification resulting from anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Simulated increases in anthropogenic CO2 suggest a reduction in the calcification rates of calcareous organisms. A change in the calcification in the Southern Ocean may cause marine ecosystem shifts and in turn alter the capacity for the ocean to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. We plan to take advantage of naturally-occurring, persistent, zonal variations in Southern Ocean primary production and biomass to investigate the effects of CO2 addition from anthropogenic sources on Southern Ocean calcareous zooplankton communities. A download file containing an excel spreadsheet of data can be found at the provided URL. Project objectives: The overall objective of this project is to characterise the impacts of recent, primarily anthropogenic, increases in atmospheric CO2 and related changes in the carbonate chemistry on shell formation by calcareous zooplankton in the Australian sector of the Southern Ocean. Calcareous zooplankton (e.g. planktonic foraminifera and pteropods) will be collected using plankton nets at five Southern Ocean localities during high seasonal flux periods. Planktonic foraminiferal and pteropod species and abundances, calcification rates and geochemistry (stable isotope and trace-metal) will be determined on plankton tow samples. Data from recent plankton tow samples will be compared with data deposited historically in the Southern Ocean and recovered from existing deep ocean sediment cores to provides insights about the extent to which modern carbon conditions may have already generated ecological impacts. The project will also provide a baseline of the present-day impact of ocean acidification and can be used to monitor the influence of future anthropogenic CO2 emissions in Southern Ocean ecosystems. Taken from the 2008-2009 Progress Report: Progress against objectives: Because of logistical delays to the Aurora Australis shipping schedule, ship time for this project was deferred to the 2009/2010 season. We have made progress in analysing other materials form previous voyages which will assist in the sampling design for the upcoming season. We are making good progress in planning the upcoming voyage currently scheduled for late 2009. Taken from the 2009-2010 Progress Report: Progress against objectives: Project scientists participated in Voyage 2 of the Aurora Australis, from Hobart to Casey Station in December 2009. Using the Rectangular Midwater Trawl we collected a total of eight plankton samples for examination of calcareous plankton distribution and shell characteristics in the summer Southern Ocean. We were targeting pteropods and planktonic foraminifera, two sets of calcifiers whose calcification response to ocean acidification we had previously reported on in publications in Nature Geoscience, Biogeosciences Discussions, and Deep-Sea Research Part II (in press). Project participants included collaborators from Australian National University and Scottish Natural Heritage, UK. There were low abundance of planktonic calclfiers in this particular seasons and sector, but we consider the initial collection a god start. Samples included approx. 18 pteropods; other samples are still being held by Biosecurity Australia and will be examined as soon as they are released. Other samples have already been sent to researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Science for genetic (RNA) sequencing. This latter collaboration is a key one which will help answer questions about evolutionary responses to ocean acidification; if there are genotypes which are more or less vulnerable to acidification we may already be seeing selective pressure in the ecosystem and a change in the structure of assemblages as "winners" and "losers" are differentially affected by the impact.

This data set was collected from a ocean acidification minicosm experiment performed at Davis Station, Antarctica during the 2014/15 summer season. It includes: - description of methods for all data collection and analyses. - flow cytometry counts; autotrophic cells, heterotrophic nanoflagellates, and prokaryotes

Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 2518 See the link below for public details on this project. Global climate change will lead to a reduction in the duration and thickness of sea ice in coastal areas. We will determine whether this will lead to a decrease in primary production and food value to higher predators. Project objectives: Our primary objective is to determine what effect will declining sea ice cover have on Antarctic coastal primary production? Hypotheses to be tested A decrease in sea ice algal production will lead to a net reduction in total primary production. A decrease in sea ice will result in less water column stratification which will reduce the significance of phytoplankton blooms. Less sea ice will lead to a change in phytoplankton bloom composition away from diatoms towards un-nutritious nuisance blooms such as Phaeocystis Benthic microalgal production will increase Seaweed production will increase slightly A decrease in sea ice thickness will increase ice algal production (as they are generally light limited) Ice algae, benthic microalgae, and phytoplankton will acclimate to an elevated light climates by changing their photosynthetic efficiency and capacity Ice algae, benthic microalgae, and phytoplankton will acclimate to an altered light quality. To answer these questions we will also need to determine: What is the total annual primary production at coastal Antarctic sites; this consists of the contributions from the sea ice algal mats, benthic microalgal, seaweed and phytoplankton? What is the effect of major environmental variables, such as UV, salinity, currents oxygen toxicity, cloud cover, nutrient availability and temperature on production. What is the inter-annual variability in primary production? A broader scale issue that our data will contribute to providing answers to is the question What effect will changing primary production have on higher trophic levels? Taken from the 2009-2010 Progress Report: Progress against objectives: The 2009/10 field and laboratory season focused on the second of our primary questions, i.e. 'What is the effect of major environmental variables, such as UV, salinity, currents oxygen toxicity, cloud cover, nutrient availability and temperature on production'. In particular we focused on light and light transmission though the sea ice. The science program AAS2518 was executed at Casey station from 11 Nov to 5 Dec 2009. The project was split into a field and a lab-based component. In situ spectral light transmission data were collected on first year sea ice within the vicinity of Jack's Hut. Ice cores were collected and transported to the laboratory at Casey station for spectral attenuation profiles within sea ice, and for measurements of spectral absorption by particulate and dissolved organic matter. Overall, the program was successful: in situ sea-ice spectral transmission data was collected in combination with vertical profiles of absorption coefficients of particulate (algae and detritus) and dissolved organic matter. Samples for analysis of photosynthetic pigments were collected and shipped to Sydney. Their analysis is underway. Due to logistical issues associated with the collection and transport of sea ice cores, the protocol for vertical profiling of spectral attenuation was modified (see below) and analysis of the data is currently underway. The field component of the program was successful as spectral transmission data was collected for first year sea-ice, and the chosen site contained a thriving sea ice algal community for bio-optical measurements. It was initially planned to sample multiple sites offering a range of varying sea-ice thickness, but this was not possible during this campaign. Many sites in the vicinity of Casey station had already started to melt and break up, so that for logistical and safety reasons the area around Jack's hut was the only workable option. The field period instead spanned ~ 20 days during the melt period at Jack's,

Data acquisition: Samples were collected using a 1.5 metre diameter Ring net (150 micron metre mesh) with a wide cod-end on the base (volume approximately 40 Litres). Vertical trawls were to 20 m (unless otherwise specified). Deployment speed was determined by wave conditions with hauling speed at slowest possible speed available by the gantry (approximately than 2 meters per second). The net was rinsed with sea water before the cod-end was removed and the contents determined by observing a sub-sample under the light microscope. Appendicualrians were separated and preserved while the remaining contents of the cod-end were sieved through 120 micrometre mesh and preserved to be sorted more accurately on return to the laboratories. The appendicularians were quantified and sorted under light microscopes with additional randomly selected individuals being prepared for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging to enable identification to species level and some Oikopleura gaussica stomach's where dissected for SEM dietary analysis. Data processing: Data are being processed using 'statistica 6' (and possibly PRIMER or PATN) to determine correlations with physical parameters obtained from underway data, the CTD and the microbial biologist. Dataset Format: Database is an excel spreadsheet Parameters: Leg - identification number of southern bound legs Event number - deployment number Station - leg number . sample point number CTD - number of corresponding CTD (conductivity, Temperature Depth sample point) Date - date/month/year Time (UTC) Latitude Longitude NET (mesh (micro meters) type) - Net type and mesh size in micro meters (150) DEPTH (m) - vertical trawl depth APPENDICULARIANS - count of appendicularians from ship and laboratory based sorting Fritiliaria drygalski - count of Fritillaridae's from ship and laboratory based sorting Oiklopleura gaussica - count of Oikopleuridae's from ship and laboratory based sorting Alive - count of live appendicularians from ship based sorting SEM IMAGE - individual appendicularians and/or O. gaussica stomach SEM images have been taken SEM Stub number - stub number that is first two numbers of SEM images SAMPLE TYPE - BARCODE Zooplankton - cod-end contents sieved and preserved Appendicularians - sorted from cod-end Live - live appendicularians (now preserved) Other 1- samples that did not fit in to the above categories or additional samples for station Other 2- additional samples for station that did not fit in to the above categories This work was completed as part of ASAC projects 2655 and 2679 (ASAC_2655, ASAC_2679).