Effects of increased pCO 2 on zinc uptake and calcification in the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata

Abstract:

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for corals. We investigated the effects of ocean acidification on zinc incorporation, photosynthesis, and gross calcification in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata. Colonies were maintained at normal pH <inf>T</inf> (8.1) and at two low-pH conditions (7.8 and 7.5) for 5 weeks. Corals were exposed to ⁶⁵Zn dissolved in seawater to assess uptake rates. After 5 weeks, corals raised at pH <inf>T</inf> (8.1) exhibited higher ⁶⁵Zn activity in the coral tissue and skeleton, compared with corals raised at a lower pH. Photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, and gross calcification, measured by ⁴⁵Ca incorporation, were however unchanged even at the lowest pH. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.

Año de publicación:

2012

Keywords:

• Zinc
• Calcification
• radiotracers
• Ocean acidification
• Scleractinian corals

Fuente:

scopus