Increased light availability enhances tolerance against ocean acidification-related stress in the calcifying macroalga Halimeda opuntia

Although the adverse impacts of ocean acidification (OA) on marine calcifiers have been investigated extensively, the anti-stress capabilities regulated by increased light availability are unclear. Herein, the interactive effects of three light levels (30 μmol photons/(m2·s), 150 μmol photons/(m2·s), and 240 μmol photons/(m2·s) combined with two pCO₂ concentrations (400 ppmv and 1400 ppmv) on the physiological acclimation of the calcifying macroalga Halimeda opuntia were investigated using a pCO₂-light coupling experiment. The OA negatively influenced algal growth, calcification, photosynthesis, and other physiological performances in H. opuntia. The relative growth rate under elevated pCO₂ conditions significantly declined by 13.14%?41.29%, whereas net calcification rates decreased by nearly three-fold under OA conditions. Notably, increased light availability enhanced stress resistance through the accumulation of soluble organic molecules, especially soluble carbohydrate, soluble protein, and free amino acids, and in combination with metabolic enzyme-driven activities, OA stress was alleviated. The carotenoid content under low light conditions increased markedly, and the rapid light curve of the relative electron transport rate was enhanced significantly by increasing light intensities, indicating that this new organization of the photosynthetic machinery in H. opuntia accommodated light variations and elevated pCO₂ conditions. Thus, the enhanced metabolic performance of the calcifying macroalga H. opuntia mitigated OA-related stress.