Aragonite

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…

marine mineral called “oolitic aragonite”, a form of calcium carbonate sustainably harvested from sea beds in the Bahamas, 65 miles off the Florida coast. “Oolitic aragonite” is from microscopic bio matter such as plankton and algae. It is sourced from a region of the Bahamas basin, 65 miles off the Florida coast. The material is dredged from the seabed, cleaned, dried and being bagged for use. b. Processing: How are the raw materials processed to make the material under investigation? The…

When the ocean absorbs CO2 chemical reactions occur that eventually reduces their pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of important calcium carbonate minerals. This is known as ocean acidification and with the altering of saturation states coral reefs around the world have suffered a great impact because of this. The ocean is one of the largest natural reservoirs and absorbs one third of the excess CO2 that is directly created from human activities. Coral reefs take up a small…

It is known that acidified waters help with the coral bleaching process and decreases the growth rate by reducing calcification rates. Corals which produce high magnesium-calcite and aragonite, also produces lots of calcium carbonate that makes up the reef structures, which provide homes and protection to a wide range of marine organisms. The acidification also reduces reproduction and recruitment rates within the coral environment. There is concern that ocean acidification will limit and reduce…

Long term records of coral calcification across the Central Great Barrier Reef show a 14.2% decline in calcification rates since 1990 (D’Olivo et al., 2013). Aragonite, a carbonate mineral considered a prerequisite for biotic calcification, is more easily dissolved when oceanic carbonate concentrations fall. According to a study published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, “since industrialization, global average atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased by about…

and tissues due to increased CO2 partial pressures. This process has been shown to have long term effects on the physiology of water breathing animals including metabolic functions, growth and reproduction. These long- term effects may prove harmful on population and species levels. The largest negative effect of increased CO2 concentrations will be felt by calcifying organisms. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is seen in the two main forms aragonite and calcite. Normally, these polymorphs are…

calcium and carbonate ions within their tissues to cause it to precipitate, producing a crystalline skeleton. The point where this occurs is known as the calcium saturation state (Ω). The three different forms of calcium carbonate crystals in marine environments are aragonite, calcite and high magnesium calcite (HMC), each defined by the differences in crystalline matrix laid down by marine organisms. Corals, for example, precipitate aragonites within a narrow space between their tissues and the…

isn’t the only thing affecting the ocean, but it is very problematic because it erodes aragonite which is a mineral of calcium carbonate. In other words it kills corals and causes the hard exoskeleton to erode. Action needs to be taken to ensure the survival of corals and the creatures that rely on coral reefs to survive. Coral reefs are sources of food for millions of people, but also are sources of medicines. As coral reefs disappear so do the organisms that are mutualistic to it. When coral…

biological tissues. They often are weak on their own, but do interact with organic matrixes to produce sufficient, structural materials. They have organized layers of organic and inorganic structures. They also may contain porous and fibrous elements. Biological organisms produce composites that are organized based on their composition and structure, containing both organic and inorganic components. Hard biological materials - composites of an inorganic oxide phase that contain a biopolymer.…

is why renewable resources are imperative to ensure krill growth won 't be hindered. The shells and skeletons of some invertebrates, including Pteropods, Limacina helicina antarctica (sea butterflies) and plankton depend strongly on a high saturation of calcium and carbonate ions. They use this to produce aragonite for their shells (Tenniswood C.M.H et al. 2013). Unfortunately for the Southern Ocean, saturation is lower in colder, high altitude regions such as Antarctica. This results from…