Coral calcifying fluid pH is modulated by seawater carbonate chemistry not solely seawater pH.

ABSTRACT: Reef coral calcification depends on regulation of pH in the internal calcifying fluid (CF) in which the coral skeleton forms. However, little is known about calcifying fluid pH (pH_CF) regulation, despite its importance in determining the response of corals to ocean acidification. Here, we investigate pH_CF in the coral Stylophora pistillata in seawater maintained at constant pH with manipulated carbonate chemistry to alter dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration, and therefore total alkalinity (A_T). We also investigate the intracellular pH of calcifying cells, photosynthesis, respiration and calcification rates under the same conditions. Our results show that despite constant pH in the surrounding seawater, pH_CF is sensitive to shifts in ca

SUBMITTER: Comeau S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5310029 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature