Coral reefs are ecosystems. Coral is an animal that attaches itself to the ocean floor and secretes a hard calcium carbonate exoskeleton, and its existence dates back to the Ordovician Period, 485 million years ago. In 2008, studies demonstrated that while acidity (pH) and carbon dioxide dissolved in water, (dissolved CO2 is referred to as pCO2) do not compromise the coral animal’s ability to perform photosynthesis, they do decrease its ability to create its calcified exoskeleton (1). As the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere increases, a relatively small amount of it dissolves in water. This dissolved pC02 in the water will form carbonic acid (H2CO3) and cause calcium rocks or coral to dissolve. As the seas become more acidic, the coral reef habitats are eroding. In fact, in 2020 Renee Setter of the University of Hawaii Manoa presented data at the Ocean Sciences Meeting showing some reefs will disappear within the next 25 years. The coral reefs are home to 25% of all marine species, and their decline will severely affect the fishing industry.
CORAL REEFS AND METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
CORAL REEFS AND METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
CORAL REEFS AND METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
Coral reefs are ecosystems. Coral is an animal that attaches itself to the ocean floor and secretes a hard calcium carbonate exoskeleton, and its existence dates back to the Ordovician Period, 485 million years ago. In 2008, studies demonstrated that while acidity (pH) and carbon dioxide dissolved in water, (dissolved CO2 is referred to as pCO2) do not compromise the coral animal’s ability to perform photosynthesis, they do decrease its ability to create its calcified exoskeleton (1). As the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere increases, a relatively small amount of it dissolves in water. This dissolved pC02 in the water will form carbonic acid (H2CO3) and cause calcium rocks or coral to dissolve. As the seas become more acidic, the coral reef habitats are eroding. In fact, in 2020 Renee Setter of the University of Hawaii Manoa presented data at the Ocean Sciences Meeting showing some reefs will disappear within the next 25 years. The coral reefs are home to 25% of all marine species, and their decline will severely affect the fishing industry.