University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
NWHI Research & Outreach Specialist, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
Dr. Paul Jokiel, (808) 236-7440
Researcher, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
Dr. Paul Jokiel, (808) 236-7440
Researcher, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
Posted: Aug. 29, 2011
An ocean acidification experiment, cylinders were placed in both a control and acidic environment.
![](acid1.jpg/image_mini)
A healthy coral reef environment seen in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
![](acid2.jpg/image_mini)
Scientists monitor coral reefs as part of the Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP).
![](acid3.jpg/image_mini)
In the past, scientists have focused on processes at the coral tissues. The alternative provided by Jokiel’s “proton flux hypothesis” is that calcification of coral skeletons are dependent on the passage of hydrogen ions between the water column and the coral tissue. This process ultimately disrupts corals’ ability to create an aragonite skeleton. Lowered calcification rates are problematic for coral reefs because it creates weakened coral skeletons leaving them susceptible to breakage, and decreasing protection.
Jokiel is excited about this work; he states that “this hypothesis provides new insights into the importance of ocean acidification and temperature on coral reefs. The model is a radical departure from previous thought, but is consistent with existing observations and warrants testing in future studies.” In general, this hypothesis does not change the general conclusions that increased ocean acidification is lowering coral growth throughout the world, but rather describes the mechanism involved.
This research can be found in the recent article Ocean acidification and control of reef coral calcification by boundary layer limitation of proton flux in Bulletin of Marine Science Volume 87 Issue 3 pages 639-657. This study was supported by grants from the NOAA Grant “Research in Support of the NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve,” and the EPA Star Grant Program.
For more information, visit: www.hawaii.edu/himb
0 Comments