Since the beginning of the industrial era, carbon dioxide or CO2 concentrations have been dramatically increasing. Today we are facing the highest amounts of anthropogenic CO2 in our atmosphere in over 650,000 years. Increased CO2 concentrations will have many negative effects on this planet. Our plants and oceans play a crucial role in carbon recycle on our planet and our oceans absorb one quarter of CO2 that is emitted into our atmosphere. When the ocean absorbs CO2, chemical reactions occur that eventually reduces their pH, carbonate ion concentration and saturation states of important calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals. This is known as ocean acidification. With the alteration of acidity, saturation states, and increased temperatures coral
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Douglas describes coral bleaching by sating, “Bleaching is not restricted to corals, but displayed by all animals in symbiosis with dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium, also known as zooxanthellae because of their yellow–brown color” (Douglas A.E, 2003). Coral communities that have been devastated by coral bleaching are left looking gray and white with very minimal signs of life. Where coral reefs harbor millions of different species and are one of the most majestic ecosystems in oceans. Corals and Symbiodinium species have a symbiotic relationship. Symbiodium possess different types of chlorophyll and carotenoids which provide nutrients and color to corals. There are many causes of coral bleaching not just one direct cause. Because they are so sensitive coral bleaching can be caused by temperature flux and influxes, darkness, introduction to a large amount of CO2, and pathogenic micro-organisms. With so many possible causes of coral collapses it is an easy observe to make that these symbiotic relationships ecologically risky but offer a great reward if maintained for both species. Corals are made out of carbonate ions in particularly calcium carbonate or CaCO3, and with the influx of CO2 coral structures have been degrading over …show more content…
Which also decreases the saturation of aragonite, the main mineral deposits for coral reefs. Reefs are highly sensitive to temperature, light, and carbonate minerals concentrations. This creates a very tight geological boundary for coral reefs to thrive in. Maoz’s study demonstrates the relationship between aragonite concentration and coral reefs by stating, “Reef communities thrive where Ω-aragonite is 3.1 to 4.1, but under CO2 doubling Ω-arag is projected to drop below 3.0. Experiments have shown that CO2 doubling results in reduced coral calcification (by 44 to 80%)” (Fine and Tchernov, 2007). Coral reefs use aragonite to create a bony and hard exterior. Coral’s need to maintain the 3.1-4.1 aragonite concentration to thrive, but can preserver with lower or slightly higher concentrations. Kleypas gives a more detail evaluation by stating, “Fragile coral skeletons have been reported from high-latitude, low Ω-aragonite reefs and coral communities, and reefs in well-mixed, highly supersaturated waters such as the Red Sea tend to have abundant internal carbonate cements, whereas those in low saturation waters such as the eastern Pacific have none” (Kleypas et all., 1999). This shows that corals can still grow in different aragonite concentrations but will have very different exteriors. Research is still being conducted on coral reefs as effects of ocean
Douglas describes coral bleaching by sating, “Bleaching is not restricted to corals, but displayed by all animals in symbiosis with dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium, also known as zooxanthellae because of their yellow–brown color” (Douglas A.E, 2003). Coral communities that have been devastated by coral bleaching are left looking gray and white with very minimal signs of life. Where coral reefs harbor millions of different species and are one of the most majestic ecosystems in oceans. Corals and Symbiodinium species have a symbiotic relationship. Symbiodium possess different types of chlorophyll and carotenoids which provide nutrients and color to corals. There are many causes of coral bleaching not just one direct cause. Because they are so sensitive coral bleaching can be caused by temperature flux and influxes, darkness, introduction to a large amount of CO2, and pathogenic micro-organisms. With so many possible causes of coral collapses it is an easy observe to make that these symbiotic relationships ecologically risky but offer a great reward if maintained for both species. Corals are made out of carbonate ions in particularly calcium carbonate or CaCO3, and with the influx of CO2 coral structures have been degrading over …show more content…
Which also decreases the saturation of aragonite, the main mineral deposits for coral reefs. Reefs are highly sensitive to temperature, light, and carbonate minerals concentrations. This creates a very tight geological boundary for coral reefs to thrive in. Maoz’s study demonstrates the relationship between aragonite concentration and coral reefs by stating, “Reef communities thrive where Ω-aragonite is 3.1 to 4.1, but under CO2 doubling Ω-arag is projected to drop below 3.0. Experiments have shown that CO2 doubling results in reduced coral calcification (by 44 to 80%)” (Fine and Tchernov, 2007). Coral reefs use aragonite to create a bony and hard exterior. Coral’s need to maintain the 3.1-4.1 aragonite concentration to thrive, but can preserver with lower or slightly higher concentrations. Kleypas gives a more detail evaluation by stating, “Fragile coral skeletons have been reported from high-latitude, low Ω-aragonite reefs and coral communities, and reefs in well-mixed, highly supersaturated waters such as the Red Sea tend to have abundant internal carbonate cements, whereas those in low saturation waters such as the eastern Pacific have none” (Kleypas et all., 1999). This shows that corals can still grow in different aragonite concentrations but will have very different exteriors. Research is still being conducted on coral reefs as effects of ocean