Differential response of two Mediterranean cold-water coral species to ocean acidification
Authors
Movilla, J. (Juancho); Orejas, C. (Covadonga); Calvo, E. (Eva); Gori, A. (Andrea); López-Sanz, A. (Àngel); Grinyó, J. (Jordi); Domínguez-Carrió, C. (Carlos); Pelejero, C. (Carles)Editor's version
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00338-014-1159-9Date
2014Type
articleKeywords
Ocean acidificationCold-water coral
Aquaria experiment
Dendrophyllia cornigera
Desmophyllum dianthus
Mediterranean Sea
Abstract
Cold-water coral (CWC) reefs constitute one of the most complex deep-sea habitats harboring a vast diversity of associated species. Like other tropical or temperate framework builders, these systems are facing an uncertain future due to several threats, such as global warming and ocean acidification. In the case of Mediterranean CWC communities, the effect may be exacerbated due to the greater capacity of these waters to absorb atmospheric CO2 compared to the global ocean. Calcification in these organisms is an energy-demanding process, and it is expected that energy requirements will be greater as seawater pH and the availability of carbonate ions decrease. Therefore, studies assessing the effect of a pH decrease in skeletal growth, and metabolic balance are critical to fully understand the potential responses of these organisms under a changing scenario. In this context, the present work aims to investigate the medium- to long-term effect of a low pH scenario on calcification and the ...