Coral Nutrient Uptake Affected by Temperature and pH Changes
Author Information
Author(s): Claire Godinot, Fanny Houlbrèque, Renaud Grover, Christine Ferrier-Pagès
Primary Institution: Centre Scientifique de Monaco
Hypothesis
How do increases in temperature and pCO2 affect nutrient uptake rates in the coral Stylophora pistillata?
Conclusion
Increased temperature negatively impacts nitrogen uptake in corals, while high temperatures enhance phosphate uptake, but combined stress from acidification and high temperatures severely decreases nutrient uptake.
Supporting Evidence
- Corals did not bleach during the experiments, indicating resilience to short-term stress.
- Photosynthetic rates significantly decreased at elevated temperatures.
- Nutrient uptake rates were not affected by pH alone but were influenced by temperature.
- High temperatures increased phosphate uptake but decreased nitrogen uptake.
- Combined high temperature and low pH resulted in significant decreases in nutrient uptake rates.
Takeaway
Corals need certain nutrients to grow, and when the ocean gets too warm or acidic, they can't get these nutrients as well, which can hurt them.
Methodology
The study involved three experiments over 10 days, testing the effects of different pH levels and temperatures on nutrient uptake rates in coral.
Limitations
The study was limited to short-term exposure and may not reflect long-term effects of temperature and pH changes on coral nutrient uptake.
Participant Demographics
Coral species studied: Stylophora pistillata.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.0004 for photosynthesis at 33°C
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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