Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies
Online ISSN : 1883-3969
Print ISSN : 1883-0838
ISSN-L : 1883-0838

This article has now been updated. Please use the final version.

Near-future levels of pCO2 impact skeletal weights of coral primary polyps (Acropora digitifera)
Tomoko BellCristiana ManullangKazuhiko SakaiAtsushi SuzukiAkira Iguchi
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS Advance online publication
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Article ID: G2020_S1N

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Abstract

Ocean acidification poses a severe threat to corals; declines in carbonate ion concentrations caused by increasing atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) can severely impact coral calcification. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the impacts of near-future ocean acidification on corals. In this study, we compared the effects of seawater at present and near-future pCO2 (approximately +200 μatm) levels on skeletal weights of new coral recruits. Experiments were carried out using precisely pCO2-controlled aquaria supplying stable pCO2-controlled seawater in a flow-through system. Our results show that skeletal weights of new coral recruits decreased significantly at +200 μatm pCO2, which is expected to be reached within this century if ocean acidification continues at the present pace.

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