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Reversal of ocean acidification enhances net coral reef calcification
Albright, R.; Caldeira, L.; Hosfelt, J.; Kwiatkowski, L.; Maclaren, J.K.; Mason, B.M.; Nebuchina, Y.; Ninokawa, A.; Pongratz, J.; Ricke, K.L.; Rivlin, T.; Schneider, K.; Sesboüé, M.; Shamberger, K.E.F.; Silverman, J.; Wolfe, K.; Zhu, K.; Caldeira, K. (2016). Reversal of ocean acidification enhances net coral reef calcification. Nature (Lond.) 531(7594): 362-365. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature17155
In: Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 0028-0836; e-ISSN 1476-4687, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Biochemical phenomena > Calcification
    Cycles > Chemical cycles > Geochemical cycle > Biogeochemical cycle > Nutrient cycles > Carbon cycle
    Environmental impact
    Reefs > Biogenic deposits > Coral reefs
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Ocean acidification

Authors  Top 
  • Albright, R.
  • Caldeira, L.
  • Hosfelt, J.
  • Kwiatkowski, L.
  • Maclaren, J.K.
  • Mason, B.M.
  • Nebuchina, Y.
  • Ninokawa, A.
  • Pongratz, J.
  • Ricke, K.L.
  • Rivlin, T.
  • Schneider, K.
  • Sesboüé, M.
  • Shamberger, K.E.F.
  • Silverman, J.
  • Wolfe, K.
  • Zhu, K.
  • Caldeira, K.

Abstract
    Approximately one-quarter of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year is absorbed by the global oceans, causing measurable declines in surface ocean pH, carbonate ion concentration ([CO32−]), and saturation state of carbonate minerals (Ω). This process, referred to as ocean acidification, represents a major threat to marine ecosystems, in particular marine calcifiers such as oysters, crabs, and corals. Laboratory and field studies have shown that calcification rates of many organisms decrease with declining pH, [CO32−], and Ω. Coral reefs are widely regarded as one of the most vulnerable marine ecosystems to ocean acidification, in part because the very architecture of the ecosystem is reliant on carbonate-secreting organisms. Acidification-induced reductions in calcification are projected to shift coral reefs from a state of net accretion to one of net dissolution this century. While retrospective studies show large-scale declines in coral, and community, calcification over recent decades determining the contribution of ocean acidification to these changes is difficult, if not impossible, owing to the confounding effects of other environmental factors such as temperature. Here we quantify the net calcification response of a coral reef flat to alkalinity enrichment, and show that, when ocean chemistry is restored closer to pre-industrial conditions, net community calcification increases. In providing results from the first seawater chemistry manipulation experiment of a natural coral reef community, we provide evidence that net community calcification is depressed compared with values expected for pre-industrial conditions, indicating that ocean acidification may already be impairing coral reef growth.

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