Implications for Marine Systems Flashcards
What are the two types of carbonate ions?
Argonite and calcite
How are shell-forming and skeleton-forming organisms affected by changing concentrations of carbonate ions?
If there is a sufficiently large concentration of carbonate ions the organisms will grow but if there isn’t they won’t grow and may begin to dissolve.
What is the difference between lab-scale experiments and field-based experiments on ocean acidification?
Lab-based experiments are highly controlled and specific while field-based experiments face a lot of natural variability.
What are the potential consequences of ocean acidification for coral reef systems?
Ocean acidification causes a decrease in pH resulting in carbonate ions decreasing.
Hence, calcium carbonate will not be produced and shell/skeleton-forming organisms will not grow.
Furtheremore, these organisms may have their shells/skeletons dissolve as carbonate ions are taken from them to prooduce bicarbonate.
Explain how resilience may partially offset ocean acidification responses in the short term
Reefs when free of pressure build resilience as they put energy into calcification processes
Scleractinian corals can pump hydrogen ions out of their calcifying fluid, increasing their internal pH and hence, their calcification rate which will build resilience.
Corals can be intentially exposed to stressful conditions to unlock coping mechanisms and desirable traits that will be reproduced to build reslience across a reef
Explain how resilience may partially offset ocean acidification responses in the short term
Reefs when free of pressure build resilience as they put energy into calcification processes
Scleractinian corals can pump hydrogen ions out of their calcifying fluid, increasing their internal pH and hence, their calcification rate which will build resilience.
Corals can be intentially exposed to stressful conditions to unlock coping mechanisms and desirable traits that will be reproduced to build reslience across a reef
