Preindustrial to modern interdecadal variability in coral reef pH

Pelejero, Carles, Calvo, Eva, McCulloch, Malcolm T, Marshall, John F, Gagan, Michael K, Lough, Janice M, and Opdyke, Bradley N (2005) Preindustrial to modern interdecadal variability in coral reef pH. Science, 309 (5744). pp. 2204-2207.

[img] PDF
Restricted to Repository staff only

 
151
5


Abstract

The oceans are becoming more acidic due to absorption of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The impact of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems is unclear, but it will likely depend on species adaptability and the rate of change of seawater pH relative to its natural variability. To constrain the natural variability in reef-water pH, we measured boron isotopic compositions in a ~300-year-old massive Porites coral from the southwestern Pacific. Large variations in pH are found over ~50-year cycles that covary with the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation of ocean-atmosphere anomalies, suggesting that natural pH cycles can modulate the impact of ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems.

Item ID: 1535
Item Type: Article (UNSPECIFIED)
ISSN: 1095-9203
Keywords: coral reefs, carbon dioxide, oceans, acidification, seawater pH, Porites
Date Deposited: 01 Jun 2007
FoR Codes: 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0405 Oceanography > 040501 Biological Oceanography @ 0%
Downloads: Total: 5
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page