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Microelectrode characterization of coral daytime interior pH and carbonate chemistry

Author

Listed:
  • Wei-Jun Cai

    (School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware
    University of Georgia)

  • Yuening Ma

    (School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware
    University of Georgia)

  • Brian M. Hopkinson

    (University of Georgia)

  • Andréa G. Grottoli

    (School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University)

  • Mark E. Warner

    (School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware)

  • Qian Ding

    (University of Georgia
    Ocean College, Zhejiang University)

  • Xinping Hu

    (University of Georgia
    Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi)

  • Xiangchen Yuan

    (University of Georgia
    Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-resources Sustainable Utilization, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Verena Schoepf

    (School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Earth and Environment and UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia)

  • Hui Xu

    (University of Georgia
    Ocean College, Zhejiang University
    School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University)

  • Chenhua Han

    (University of Georgia
    Ocean College, Zhejiang University
    Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Environment, State Oceanic Administration (SOA) Second Institute of Oceanography)

  • Todd F. Melman

    (Reef Systems Coral Farm)

  • Kenneth D. Hoadley

    (School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware)

  • D. Tye Pettay

    (School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware)

  • Yohei Matsui

    (School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University)

  • Justin H. Baumann

    (School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University)

  • Stephen Levas

    (School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University)

  • Ye Ying

    (Ocean College, Zhejiang University)

  • Yongchen Wang

    (University of Georgia)

Abstract

Reliably predicting how coral calcification may respond to ocean acidification and warming depends on our understanding of coral calcification mechanisms. However, the concentration and speciation of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) inside corals remain unclear, as only pH has been measured while a necessary second parameter to constrain carbonate chemistry has been missing. Here we report the first carbonate ion concentration ([CO32−]) measurements together with pH inside corals during the light period. We observe sharp increases in [CO32−] and pH from the gastric cavity to the calcifying fluid, confirming the existence of a proton (H+) pumping mechanism. We also show that corals can achieve a high aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) in the calcifying fluid by elevating pH while at the same time keeping [DIC] low. Such a mechanism may require less H+-pumping and energy for upregulating pH compared with the high [DIC] scenario and thus may allow corals to be more resistant to climate change related stressors.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei-Jun Cai & Yuening Ma & Brian M. Hopkinson & Andréa G. Grottoli & Mark E. Warner & Qian Ding & Xinping Hu & Xiangchen Yuan & Verena Schoepf & Hui Xu & Chenhua Han & Todd F. Melman & Kenneth D. Hoad, 2016. "Microelectrode characterization of coral daytime interior pH and carbonate chemistry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11144
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11144
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